China Searches Its Citizens To Help Russia Fight Against Ukraine

Ukrainian Military/PHOTO via X @ZelenskyyUa

JAKARTA - The Chinese government is checking the whereabouts of its citizens who are said to be Russian troops against Ukraine.

"China is verifying the information with the Ukrainian side. Allow me to emphasize that the Chinese government always asks our citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, April 9.

Earlier on Tuesday (8/4), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky via his X social media account said his forces arrested two Chinese nationals who fought a war for the Russian army in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine complete with identity documents, including bank cards and their personal data.

Zelensky said Ukrainian forces fought against six Chinese soldiers and arrested two of them as prisoners and there were more Chinese nationals in the Russian army.

The post was also accompanied by a video showing one of the Chinese prisoners handcuffed, speaking in Mandarin, although it was not stated when the video was taken.

"We always ask Chinese citizens to avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, in particular avoiding participation in military operations of any party," said Lin Jian.

Lin Jian emphasized that China's position regarding the issue of the Ukraine conflict was very clear and had not changed.

"Ukraine needs to look properly at China's constructive efforts and roles to resolve the Ukrainian conflict through negotiation channels. China has been upholding an objective and fair position regarding Ukraine's issue, this is very clear," added Lin Jian.

China, said Lin Jian, is committed to ending the conflict and encouraging negotiations for peace, which is clear to the international community.

In his tweet, Zelensky asked for a response from the United States, Europe and all those who wanted peace.

"China nationals arrested are now under the custody of the Ukrainian Security Service. Relevant investigative and operational measures are ongoing," Zelensky said.

Zelensky also said Russia's involvement in China, along with other countries, either directly or indirectly, in the war in Europe was a clear signal that Putin intended to do anything except ending the war.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also from her X social media account said she strongly condemned Russia's involvement in Chinese citizens in the fight against Ukraine.

He has summoned the Chinese power of attorney in Ukraine to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain this.

"With Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russia's invasion forces in Ukraine, we question China's stance on peace. This undermines Beijing's credibility as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in charge," said Sybiha.

In addition to troops from China, Ukraine previously said North Korea had sent thousands of troops to help Russia. About 1,000 North Koreans were killed while fighting against Ukraine in Kursk, Ukrainian officials said.

China has so far always refused to deploy peacekeepers to the Ukrainian conflict area if peace was reached there.

The latest development of the Ukrainian conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office on March 11, 2025, stated that Kiev is ready to accept the United States' proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, with a possible extension based on a mutual agreement.

In addition, the US will also continue aid to Ukraine and lift the pause in intelligence sharing.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20 percent of Ukraine's territory, mostly in the east.