China rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's claim that more than 150 Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, dismissing the assertion as "groundless" and warning against "irresponsible remarks" amid intensifying geopolitical tensions.
Zelenskyy made the allegation late Wednesday in his nightly address, asserting that Ukrainian intelligence had confirmed the presence of 155 Chinese citizens fighting for Russia, including details of their identities and unit affiliations. He stated that the recruits were being enlisted via Russian social media channels and that Chinese authorities were aware of the practice. "This must be met with a firm and principled response," Zelenskyy said.
The comments were made as Ukrainian defense officials reported a renewed Russian offensive in the country's eastern regions. General Oleksandr Syrskyi said Thursday that assaults had intensified across Sumy and Kharkiv, with Russian forces escalating operations in multiple directions.
At a regular press briefing Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated Beijing's official stance. "China is not the initiator of the Ukrainian crisis, nor is China a participating party. We are a firm supporter and active promoter of a peaceful settlement of the crisis," Lin said. "We urge the relevant parties concerned to correctly and soberly understand the role of China and to not release irresponsible remarks."
Lin added that the Chinese government instructs its citizens to stay away from conflict zones and to refrain from joining military activities abroad. He declined to name Zelenskyy or directly reference Ukraine in his response, but made clear that Beijing views the claim as an unwelcome provocation.
"If the Chinese government had knowledge of the troops' deployment, it would make China the second country after North Korea to send military personnel to aid the Kremlin," Zelenskyy said. He previously denounced the reported presence of over 11,000 North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk region as Russia's "first mistake," with the recruitment of Chinese nationals described as "the second."
The Kremlin has not publicly responded to the claim. NBC News and Reuters both reported they could not independently verify the figures provided by Ukrainian intelligence. A spokesperson for the Kremlin declined comment on the matter.
The geopolitical implications of confirmed Chinese involvement in combat operations in Ukraine would be profound, placing Beijing in direct conflict with Western allies and challenging its self-declared neutrality in the war.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face heavy bombardment. The country's air force reported Thursday that 145 Iranian-made Shahed drones were launched by Russia overnight. Ukrainian officials said four civilians were killed in the past 24 hours, and another three were injured in Kyiv. The northeastern Sumy region was shelled nearly 300 times over the same period.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia may be attempting to establish a "buffer zone" along Ukraine's border in Sumy Oblast to repel further counteroffensives.
