China probes capture of citizens fighting for Russia in Ukraine
- We are verifying these reports in cooperation with the Ukrainian side, assured the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This was his comment on the reports of the capture in Ukraine of two Chinese citizens who were fighting in the ranks of the Russian army.
What do you need to know?
- What's happened? President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese citizens fighting on the side of Russia in the Donetsk region.
Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that Beijing is monitoring and verifying the reports about the capture of two Chinese citizens in Ukraine who supported the Russian army.
- We are verifying these reports in cooperation with the Ukrainian side, announced Lin Jian during a press briefing.
He added that the Chinese government consistently advises its citizens to avoid areas with armed conflicts and to refrain from engaging in military activities.
Are there more Chinese citizens in the occupier's units?
President Zelensky noted that, according to information from Ukrainian forces, more Chinese individuals might be fighting in Putin's army.
- We have information that there are significantly more Chinese citizens in the occupier's units than just the two, emphasized Zelensky. The captured Chinese citizens are currently in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine, where investigative and operational actions are ongoing against them.
China, despite professing neutrality towards the conflict in Ukraine, has not condemned the Russian aggression and opposes the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West. Authorities in Beijing and Moscow have strengthened cooperation in various areas, including the military.
