Zelenskyy: China’s citizens are fighting for Russia — Will the US respond?

(left to right): Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of recruiting over 150 Chinese nationals to fight in Ukraine — and says Beijing knows about it. The revelation came after Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese fighters in eastern Ukraine, posting videos of them and their passports.
“The United States of America should pay attention,” Zelenskyy said. “There are 155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine.”
Why it matters
It’s the first time China has been publicly linked to boots on the ground in Russia’s war in Ukraine. While China denies official involvement, the evidence points to an uncomfortable truth for Beijing: Chinese nationals are now visible participants in a war where China has long claimed “neutrality.”
The potential implications are massive — from further destabilizing US-China relations to weakening Beijing’s diplomatic balancing act between Moscow and the West.
The big picture
China has walked a tightrope in the war: Supplying Russia with economic lifelines and dual-use goods, while avoiding direct military entanglement. That balancing act may now be faltering.
Ukraine’s security services say they’ve documented Chinese citizens in specific Russian brigades — even providing passport data and travel timelines. The captured fighters were reportedly recruited via Chinese social media, offered fast visas, and deployed to units like Russia’s 70th and 255th motorized rifle regiments.
“It’s not secret recruitment,” Zelenskyy said. “Russians distribute advertising videos about recruitment through Chinese social networks.”
China’s foreign ministry responded by saying it is “verifying” the claims and reiterated its stance that citizens should avoid all armed conflicts. Still, Zelenskyy’s charge has forced China off the sidelines.
What they are saying
China’s take: Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian slammed Zelenskyy’s remarks as “irresponsible,” calling them “groundless” and saying China has played a “constructive role” in seeking peace.
Russia’s response: The Kremlin rejected the idea that China is being dragged into the war. “Zelenskyy is wrong,” said spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “China takes a balanced position. China is our strategic partner, friend, and comrade.”
Washington’s reaction: US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called the reports “disturbing,” noting China is a “major enabler” of Russia’s war by supplying 80% of the dual-use items Russia uses to sustain its military.
Trump envoy’s caution: Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, said he isn’t convinced these fighters were sent by Beijing. “This is one of those ‘let’s sit back and see how this plays out’ moments.”
Zoom in: Who are the fighters?
As per a report in the Economist, many Chinese nationals fighting for Russia are lured by pay, propaganda, or misguided adventure.
A 23-year-old firefighter from Gansu province flew to Moscow after seeing videos promising high wages — five times his monthly salary in China.
“Red Macaron,” a Chinese TikToker, joined out of nationalism and a desire to experience war, citing the influence of Chinese war films. He later said Russians treated Chinese fighters as “cannon fodder.”
Zhao Rui, 38, joined the Russian side to fight “any Japanese” helping Ukraine. Before being killed by a drone, he urged others not to follow: “Find a job in China, you can make the same amount.”
One captured fighter told Ukrainian interrogators that after voicing complaints, he was locked in a pit alongside Russian deserters and denied food or water.
Despite the danger, the pipeline is open — videos on Douyin (China’s TikTok) continue to glamorize joining the Russian ranks, the Economist report said.
Not all fight for Russia
There are Chinese citizens fighting for Ukraine, too — although far fewer.
Peng Chenliang, a pro-Ukraine activist from Yunnan, joined Kyiv’s foreign legion after serving jail time in China for criticizing Russia online. He was later killed in combat.
Before his death, Peng posted a video holding a Taiwan flag and expressed admiration for Tseng Sheng-kuang, a Taiwanese volunteer who died fighting for Ukraine in 2022.
These volunteers have sparked intense debate inside China — where public discussion of the war is tightly monitored. Online, many see them as mercenaries; others as misguided patriots, the Economist report added.
Between the lines
Zelenskyy stopped short of accusing Beijing of orchestrating the deployments but said Ukraine is still assessing if Chinese officials are involved.
“We believe there are many more [Chinese fighters],” he said. “We’re collecting information.”
Ukraine has offered to exchange the captured men for Ukrainian soldiers held in Russia. But Zelenskyy made clear that he expects a bigger response — especially from the US.
“I do not understand why America is not reacting forcefully toward Russia,” he said.
Officials from Kyiv have summoned China’s envoy and handed over the list of names and details — but received no firm response.
What’s next?
For China: It must decide whether to take public action against these fighters or risk being seen as complicit.
Cracking down could damage ties with Russia, while ignoring the issue may spark new criticism from the West — and risk Chinese citizens getting trapped in a distant war they didn’t expect.
For the US: Zelenskyy’s appeal adds pressure on the Biden administration (and Trump’s envoy team) to harden its stance — not just against Russia, but China too.
With Trump aiming to broker a ceasefire, reports of Chinese fighters muddy the waters — potentially inflaming the geopolitical chessboard just as diplomacy inches forward.
For Russia: The recruitment of foreign nationals underscores its manpower shortages.
Thousands of North Koreans are reportedly already deployed in Russia’s Kursk region — now joined by Chinese fighters, Cubans, Indians, and others from poorer nations.
The bottom line
The war in Ukraine is no longer just a regional fight — it’s become a theater for global rivalry. China says it’s neutral. But with its citizens now captured in battle, neutrality may no longer be an option.
(With inputs from agencies)