Ukrainian Forces Capture Two Chinese Soldiers; Zelensky Accuses CCP of Involvement in Russia-Ukraine War

A Ukrainian soldier walks through the heavily damaged city of Bakhmut, which became one of the fiercest battlefields in the nearly year-long war between Ukraine and Russia as of January 13, 2023. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

[People News] On Tuesday, April 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a statement declaring that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese Communist Party (CCP) soldiers during combat with Russian troops in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. According to Zelenskyy, the soldiers were apprehended while engaged in combat on Ukrainian soil, carrying identification documents, bank cards, and other personal items. Zelenskyy has instructed officials to launch a thorough investigation and called on the international community to respond to the possibility of CCP involvement in the war.

According to Radio Free Asia, Zelenskyy stated on his social media platform that preliminary intelligence suggests there may be more CCP soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces. He emphasized that Ukraine is working to verify all details and noted that relevant units from the intelligence community, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Ukrainian Armed Forces are conducting a coordinated investigation.

Footage of Captured CCP Soldiers Released

In a video posted by Zelenskyy on X (formerly Twitter), one of the captured Chinese soldiers is shown with his hands bound. Unable to communicate clearly due to the language barrier, he spoke in Mandarin, saying phrases such as, “Then my commander… then I… he just…” as Ukrainian personnel attempted to interpret his words.

Zelenskyy: This Reflects Putin’s Desire to Prolong the War

Zelenskyy stressed that he has instructed Ukraine’s Foreign Minister to immediately contact Beijing and demand an official response from the Chinese side. He stated that if the CCP is indeed involved in the conflict, either directly or indirectly, it reveals that Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined to prolong the war and is seeking ways to continue the conflict. Zelenskyy further noted that the development of this situation “absolutely requires a response” and urged the United States, Europe, and all peace-supporting nations worldwide to react.

Zelenskyy added that the two Chinese nationals are currently being held by the SBU, and that investigations and follow-up actions are ongoing.

Following Zelenskyy’s accusations, Ukraine has summoned the Chinese chargé d’affaires, but Beijing has not yet issued a public response. Zelenskyy also stated that the CCP has now become the third country, after Iran and North Korea, to be involved in combat operations alongside Russian forces.

China has repeatedly claimed that it is neither the instigator of the Russia-Ukraine war nor a party to it, and maintains that it is committed to promoting peaceful negotiations.

Earlier this year, in January, Ukraine reportedly captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. At the time, the South Korean government expressed willingness to accept the captured individuals and stated that some North Korean soldiers had shown interest in seeking asylum in South Korea.

It has been reported that several Chinese nationals had joined Russian forces to support combat efforts, with some already killed in action. Among them were Henan native Xu Hang (known online as “Prison Warden”), as well as Zhao Rui, Liu Hongwei, and Liu Jie—individuals known for their online nationalist activity.