155 Chinese citizens are taking part in hostilities on the side of Russian troops: latest information from Ukrainian special services

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that more than 150 Chinese citizens are serving in the Russian armed forces, in particular in motorized rifle units, and are taking part in hostilities in Ukraine.

According to Ukrainian intelligence services, at least 155 Chinese have been identified as fighting on Russia’s side. The President emphasized that there is currently data on these citizens’ passports, age, place of service and other characteristics. This was discussed during his meeting with journalists.

The telegram channel “We Are Ukraine” published photos of the Chinese taking part in the fighting on Russia’s side.

There was also information about people who had been captured:

• Wang Guangjun was born in 1991. He was taken prisoner on April 4, 2025, in the battles near Bilohorivka, Donetsk region.
• Chang Renbo was born in 1998. He was taken prisoner on April 5, 2025, near Tarasivka in the Donetsk region.

One of the central schemes for recruiting Chinese to participate in the war with Ukraine is advertising on social media, particularly on TikTok, where the Russian military offers service contracts. Official Beijing is expected to be aware of this, although the possibility of covert recruitment has not been ruled out. Zelensky said that these citizens come to Russia, undergo medical examinations, and then train in training centers for several months before being sent to the front.

More than 150 Chinese signed contracts with the Russian army in mid-2024, with some recruited as early as 2023. These citizens serve in various units, such as the 255th Motorized Rifle Regiment, 136th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, and 70th Motorized Rifle Regiment. Most of them hold positions as riflemen, grenade launchers, and gunners and have a private rank.

Zelenskyy also emphasized that recruitment of Chinese citizens will continue until April 2025.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian denied that the Chinese military was involved in the conflict in Ukraine.