China has dismissed claims by Kiev that “many” Chinese nationals are serving in Russian military units, after two Chinese men were captured on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine.
There is no basis for this claim, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.
He added that the Chinese government has consistently advised its citizens to avoid areas of armed conflict and to refrain from participating in military activities on either side.
The denial comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese citizens fighting with the Russian army. He also published a video with images of one of the prisoners.
According to Zelensky, the capture occurred in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. “We have information that there are many more such Chinese citizens in the occupying forces,” he wrote, without providing evidence.
Meanwhile, Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene said she is not surprised by Ukraine’s claim that two Chinese soldiers were captured fighting alongside Russian forces.
“China’s very active involvement in supporting Russia - both financially, politically and in other ways - should leave no doubt about China’s role, its goals, and the effectiveness of this team of the Axis of Evil,” she said in Vilnius. While Beijing officially maintains a neutral stance on the war launched by Russia, it has stopped short of condemning Moscow. (DPA)
