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Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine and "Beijing knows about this," Zelensky says (kyivindependent.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.org to c/world@quokk.au

3 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/32430092

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[...]

"There are 155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed this information to journalists on April 9.

"We are collecting information, we believe that there are many more."

"For these 155 there is passport data, where they are from, their Chinese documents, age, etc," Zelensky added.

According to Zelensky, Chinese soldiers had been serving with Russia's 70th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, the 255th Rifle Division, and others.

A day before, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the capture of two Chinese citizens fighting for Russia in eastern Donetsk Oblast. The group of six Chinese nationals clashed with Ukrainian forces, and two are now being held by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), he said.

The documents, obtained by the Kyiv Independent, list the names, personal data, place of service and position in the Russian army of other Chinese nationals.

[...]

One of the captured soldiers claimed he paid 300,000 rubles (roughly $3,000) to a middleman in China to join the Russian military in exchange for the promise of citizenship, Ukraine's Luhansk military unit press service told Ukrainian Pravda earlier in the day.

"Beijing knows about this. Russians distribute advertising videos about recruitment through Chinese social networks," Zelensky said.

[...]

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[–] sin_free_for_00_days@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Really seems like China spying on Russian capabilities than anything else. Someone correct me, but there isn't a real impact here, is there? Ukraine neutralizes that many occupier troops every day, don't they? Or is there some obvious political ramifications that I don't see? China potentially joining Russian forces en masse? I don't see it. I'm often wrong though.

[–] real_squids@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 weeks ago

Someone correct me, but there isn't a real impact here, is there?

Not really, just more proof of mercenaries' existence. Ideally Ukraine wants China to lessen their support of invaders, doubt this is gonna help.