'Several hundred' Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Ukraine: Zelensky
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'Several hundred' Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Ukraine: Zelensky
Agence France-Presse
Published Apr 12, 2025 01:35 AM PHT

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that hundreds of Chinese nationals were fighting at the Ukraine frontline alongside Russia, after accusing Moscow of dragging Beijing into its invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that hundreds of Chinese nationals were fighting at the Ukraine frontline alongside Russia, after accusing Moscow of dragging Beijing into its invasion.
"As of now, we have information that at least several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting as part of Russia's occupation forces," Zelensky told a gathering of military chiefs from allied countries in Brussels.
"As of now, we have information that at least several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting as part of Russia's occupation forces," Zelensky told a gathering of military chiefs from allied countries in Brussels.
"This means Russia is clearly trying to prolong the war -- even by using Chinese lives," he added.
"This means Russia is clearly trying to prolong the war -- even by using Chinese lives," he added.
Kyiv said this week that its forces had captured two Chinese nationals in the eastern Donetsk region fighting for Moscow, prompting allegations from Zelensky that Russia was implicating Beijing in the invasion.
Kyiv said this week that its forces had captured two Chinese nationals in the eastern Donetsk region fighting for Moscow, prompting allegations from Zelensky that Russia was implicating Beijing in the invasion.
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The Kremlin denied the claim, while Beijing warned parties to the conflict against making "irresponsible remarks".
The Kremlin denied the claim, while Beijing warned parties to the conflict against making "irresponsible remarks".
Zelensky also issued a plea for more air defence systems, speaking via video from his hometown of Kryvyi Rig where a Russian ballistic missile last week killed 19 people, including nine children.
Zelensky also issued a plea for more air defence systems, speaking via video from his hometown of Kryvyi Rig where a Russian ballistic missile last week killed 19 people, including nine children.
"You know that Ukraine has a shortage of air defence systems. You know that Patriot systems can effectively protect against ballistic threats," he said.
"You know that Ukraine has a shortage of air defence systems. You know that Patriot systems can effectively protect against ballistic threats," he said.
"I ask you to focus first of all on air defence for Ukraine. We truly need it. Ten Patriot systems -– the free world has them," he added.
"I ask you to focus first of all on air defence for Ukraine. We truly need it. Ten Patriot systems -– the free world has them," he added.
The Ukrainian leader also called out Russia for having refused a complete ceasefire proposed by the United States with Ukrainian approval one month ago.
The Ukrainian leader also called out Russia for having refused a complete ceasefire proposed by the United States with Ukrainian approval one month ago.
And he called on allies to make progress on creating a contingent of forces that could act as a deterrent against future Russian attacks after a halt to the fighting.
And he called on allies to make progress on creating a contingent of forces that could act as a deterrent against future Russian attacks after a halt to the fighting.
"We need to define clear details regarding the size, structure, deployment, logistics, sustainment, and the equipment and weapons of this security contingent in Ukraine," Zelensky said.
"We need to define clear details regarding the size, structure, deployment, logistics, sustainment, and the equipment and weapons of this security contingent in Ukraine," Zelensky said.
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