Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Ukraine identified as mercenaries US officials confirm

The US confirmed that over 100 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine are mercenaries, with no direct ties to China's government. 

According to two officials familiar with American intelligence and a former Western intelligence officer, cited by Reuters, these individuals appear to be fighting independently for Russia, though they are not formally affiliated with Chinese state institutions, Caliber.Az reports.

While these fighters are not linked to Beijing, the former official indicated that Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing's approval to gather tactical insights from the ongoing conflict.

On Wednesday, Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US forces in the Indo-Pacific, confirmed that Ukrainian forces had captured two individuals of Chinese origin in eastern Ukraine. This follows remarks from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who claimed that there were 155 Chinese nationals fighting on Russia's behalf.

In response, China, which maintains a "no-limits" partnership with Russia, has not criticized Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Chinese government dismissed Zelenskyy’s statements as "irresponsible," emphasizing that Beijing is not involved in the war.

U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, further clarified that while these Chinese fighters appear to have limited military training, they are not having a significant impact on Russia's overall military operations.

Despite the lack of official links between China and the mercenaries, the Chinese government has long been a key supporter of Moscow’s war efforts, primarily through the provision of dual-use products that are critical for maintaining military equipment such as drones and tanks. Additionally, Beijing has supplied Russia with lethal drones to aid in the conflict. In October, the Biden administration imposed sanctions on two Chinese companies for supplying these weapon systems to Russia.

The CIA, US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and National Security Council, along with China's embassy in Washington, have yet to respond to inquiries regarding these developments.

Although volunteers from Western countries, including the US, have joined Ukrainian forces in the war, the involvement of Chinese nationals on the Russian side adds a new layer to the growing international dynamics of the conflict. Meanwhile, North Korea has also contributed more than 12,000 troops to support Russian forces, many of whom have suffered casualties in combat.

By Tamilla Hasanova