Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that two Chinese soldiers were captured while fighting in eastern Ukraine.
He said his forces engaged six Chinese soldiers during combat, and two of them were taken prisoner. Zelenskyy added that he had directed officials to seek an explanation from the Chinese government.
“We have information that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than just two. We are now finding out all the facts,” he said.
Zelenskyy has called on the United States to respond to the development.
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China, a known ally of Russia, has long been accused of assisting in the war effort. However, Beijing has consistently denied supplying weapons to Kremlin forces.
“Russia’s involvement of China in this war in Europe, directly or indirectly, is a clear signal that Putin is going to do anything but end the war,” Zelenskyy said.
“He is looking for ways to continue the war.”
The Ukrainian president went further, stating that China has effectively joined Russia’s war against Ukraine. He emphasized that he expects the US to react.
Fighters from various nationalities have reportedly joined Russia’s army throughout the war, often lured by promises of large financial rewards. These instances do not necessarily indicate official support from their home countries.
North Korea, on the other hand, has reportedly sent thousands of its own troops to support Russian forces.
In a related update, Zelenskyy confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian forces are now operating in Russia’s Belgorod region.
He described the move as justified, saying, “war must return to where it came from.”
(Sky News)
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