During a battle in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian defenders captured two Chinese servicemembers who were fighting as part of the Russian army. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this during a meeting with media representatives.
"We captured Chinese servicemembers on Ukrainian territory. Ukrainians engaged in combat with six Chinese servicemembers in the Donetsk region – in Tarasivka and Bilohorivka. Two were taken prisoner. Accordingly, their identification documents, passports, and even their credit cards were found in their possession. These are Chinese citizens," the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that he had instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense to contact China for clarification.
"This is yet another country providing military support to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Another after Iran and after North Korean troops. But there is a difference: North Koreans fought against us in the Kursk direction, while the Chinese are fighting on Ukrainian territory. I think this is an important issue that we need to discuss with our partners," the President emphasized.
The captured Chinese citizens are now in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine. Relevant investigative and operational actions are ongoing.