UKRAINE captured two Chinese soldiers fighting alongside the Russians, President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed.
Zelensky said that Kyiv found six Chinese nationals fighting in the Donetsk region of Ukraine and took two of them prisoners.
Footage shared by Zelensky shows a suspected Chinese soldier captured fighting alongside the Russians[/caption]
He claimed that Ukraine had information about more Chinese citizens fighting with the Russian troops and said he demanded an official response from Beijing.
He shared footage of a suspected Chinese soldier on his Telegram channel.
He added: “Our military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army. This happened on the territory of Ukraine – in the Donetsk region.
“There are documents of these prisoners, bank cards, personal data.
“We have information that there are significantly more such Chinese citizens in the units of the occupier than two.
“We are now clarifying all the facts. Intelligence, the SBU, and the relevant units of the Armed Forces are working.
“The captured Chinese citizens are being held by the Security Service of Ukraine.
“Relevant investigative and operational actions are ongoing.”
Zelensky said that China’s involvement in the war is a “clear signal” that Putin wants to drag the war.
He urged the West to react.
The president added: “Russia’s involvement, directly or indirectly, of China in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin is going to do anything but end the war.
“He is looking for a way to continue the war. This definitely requires a reaction. A reaction from the United States, Europe, and everyone in the world who wants peace.”
China is one of the biggest allies of Russia and has been accused of helping Vladimir Putin with weapons.
However, Beijing has repeatedly denied the allegations that it has helped the Kremlin fight against the Ukrainians.
If the troops are found to be serving members of the Chinese national army, it could result in a major war escalation.
However, soldiers from various countries have so far taken part in the Russia-Ukraine war – it that does not mean an official intervention by their home countries.
Thousands of troops from North Korea also joined the war to support Russia against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Zelensky said for the first time today that Ukrainian forces were operating in Russia’s Belgorod region, where Moscow reported attacks in March.
Belgorod is regularly the target of Ukrainian air attacks and is close to Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been desperately hanging on to territory since launching a surprise incursion last year.
Zelensky said that the country’s commander in chief General Oleksandr Syrsky had reported on “our presence in Kursk region and our presence in Belgorod region”.
“We continue to conduct active operations in the border areas on the enemy’s territory, and this is absolutely right — the war must return to where it came from,” Zelensky added.
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