China’s shadow on the battlefield: over 150 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia

Ukraine’s military intelligence has identified over 150 additional Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian forces, signaling a potentially provocative development in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.

According to a report by Ukrainian media outlet lb.ua, the recruitment of Chinese into Russia’s military ranks began two years ago, and has surged over the past year.

“Citizens of the PRC primarily began arriving at Russian training centers in the autumn of 2024. However, contracts with the Russian army were being signed as early as the spring of 2024 and even the summer of 2023,” the text reads.

These individuals are integrated into multiple Russian combat units including motorized rifle brigades and regiments, where they occupy a wide array of specialized roles: from assault platoon drivers, operators of electronic warfare and drones, scouts (some specializing in grenade launchers), and machine gunners.

“The total number of Chinese involved in the war extends beyond these one hundred and fifty individuals. Chinese fighters hold ranks from private to junior sergeant,” lb.ua said.

Furthermore, at least 11 more Chinese citizens were undergoing the selection process to join the 33rd motorized rifle regiment as of early April.

“The youngest of them is 19 years old,” the journalists add.

A notable surge in Chinese citizens signing military contracts was observed across various Russian regions, including Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, and St. Petersburg, during the summer months.

This revelation compounds concerns following an April 8 statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who confirmed that Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region had engaged and captured two of six Chinese nationals fighting with the Russian army.

The presence of Chinese nationals in active combat roles, even as mercenaries, presents a potentially significant diplomatic challenge for Beijing, which consistently asserts its neutrality in the conflict, according to prominent Ukrainian journalist Vitaly Portnikov.

Echoing this concern, the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, labeled China the “key enabler” of Russia’s war.

“Without Chinese support, Russia wouldn’t be able to wage the war in the amount that they are waging this,” she said, commenting on the reports of Chinese citizens’ involvement.

Kallas said that Ukraine and the European Union have already discussed this issue.

“Of course, it doesn’t mean that the Chinese army is involved [in the war], but of course they can share the information that they know about this,” she said.