Ukraine parades captured Chinese fighters to expose Beijing's involvement in war

Ukraine paraded two captured Chinese nationals before a press conference, claiming they were recruited by Russia to fight on the frontlines, echoing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent accusation that Moscow is luring Chinese fighters via social media. The men were handcuffed and under armed guard.

Zelenskyy alleged that several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia. The Kremlin has, however, denied the charge, while Beijing warned against “irresponsible remarks.” The move to publicly display prisoners—likely a violation of international humanitarian law—suggests Ukraine prioritised the propaganda impact over legal concerns.

Though Ukraine has hosted news conferences with POWs previously, Kyiv appears to have taken a calculated risk this time to challenge Beijing’s claims head-on with US support dwindling.

Despite the potential reputational fallout, Ukraine publicly presented the captured Chinese fighters—an act that likely violates international norms protecting prisoners of war from media exposure. The goal seemed clear: to visibly contradict China’s denial and raise diplomatic pressure.

China has always claimed neutrality in Russia’s war on Ukraine and repeatedly tells its citizens not to get involved in foreign conflicts. All the same, as a key diplomatic and economic lifeline for Moscow, Beijing’s actions are watched closely in Kyiv, reported CNN.

Dressed in combat fatigues and answering questions in Mandarin, the POWs were watched over by armed Ukrainian security personnel, while a translator sat beside them.

"We captured Chinese fighters in the territory of Ukraine. Ukrainians entered the battle in Donetsk region, Tarasivka and Belohorivka, with six Chinese fighters - two were captured. Accordingly, there are documents and passports, there are even credit cards. These are Chinese citizens. I think this is a very important element, I think the US should pay attention to what is happening today. And we expect after this, that this is another country that militarily supports Russia's invasion of Ukraine - on the side of Russia. This is another one after Iran and North Korean military," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The captured men cited financial hardship as motivation. One of them said he was promised $3,000 a month. Recruited under the guise of medical work, he said he was forced into combat training in Russia, despite not understanding the language or documents.

CNN reviewed a Russian military contract given to another Chinese fighter, mandating participation in combat and emergency duties.

The contract, which was shown to CNN by a Ukrainian intelligence source, is written in Russian. Lasting a year, it commits the volunteer, among other things, to “participate in combat, fulfill duties during the mobilization period emergencies and martial law,” as well as take part in “activity to keep and restore international peace and security” and stopping “international terrorist activity outside the territory of the Russian Federation.”

One POW described the confusion leading to their capture in Donetsk. Ordered to attack without clear instructions, he hid, only to be caught in chaos as Russian troops mistakenly targeted them and Ukrainian drones swarmed overhead.

“When we reached a forest, my captain told me, ‘Da, da, da’ (“Yes, yes, yes” in Russian), signalling me to start the attack. But I did not know where the target was. We passed many Russian positions, and I thought we were heading toward our own bunker. I thought he was joking, so I hid. Then I saw the captain of (another Russian unit) throw in a grenade, and suddenly there were (Ukrainian) drones everywhere.”

They surrendered after just three days in combat. The pair told journalists they hoped to be part of a prisoner swap.

WHY THE TIMING MATTERS

The development comes amid Kyiv’s attempts to get the upper hand in its battle with Moscow for the ear of US President Donald Trump, whose administration appears to be making little headway in its efforts to convince the Kremlin to agree to a full ceasefire.

Washington has also been heavily focused on China, which some in the White House see as the United States’ main global adversary, and which the administration has been hitting with progressively larger import tariffs.

From Zelensky’s perspective, there is a clear interest in amplifying anything that suggests China’s support for Russia might be more than diplomatic and economic.