More than 100 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Ukraine are believed to be mercenaries with no apparent direct ties to the Chinese government, according to two U.S. officials familiar with American intelligence and a former Western intelligence official.
Chinese military officers have, however, been in the theater behind Russia’s lines with Beijing’s approval to draw tactical lessons from the war, the former official told Reuters.
The head of U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, Admiral Samuel Paparo, confirmed on Wednesday that Ukraine’s forces had captured two men of Chinese origin in eastern Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country had information about 155 Chinese nationals fighting there on Russia’s behalf.
China Rejects Zelenskyy’s Claim
China, which has declared a “no-limits” partnership with Russia and has refrained from criticizing Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, had called Zelenskyy’s remarks “irresponsible” and said China was not a party to the war.
The U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Chinese fighters appear to have minimal training and are not having any discernible impact on Russia’s military operations.
The CIA, the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National Security Council, as well as China’s embassy in Washington, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
The former Western intelligence official with knowledge of the issue told Reuters there were about 200 Chinese mercenaries fighting for Russia with whom the Chinese government has no link.
But Chinese military officers have, with Beijing’s approval, been touring close to Russia’s frontlines to draw lessons and tactics from the war. The officers “are absolutely there under approval,” the former official said.
Chinese Support
China has for years provided Moscow with material support to help aid its war against Ukraine, primarily in the shipment of dual-use products – components needed to maintain weapons such as drones and tanks.
Beijing has also supplied Russia with lethal drones to use on the battlefield. In October, the Biden administration sanctioned for the first time two Chinese companies for providing weapons systems to Moscow.
Volunteers from Western countries, including the U.S., have been fighting for Ukraine since the early days of the war, and North Korea has deployed more than 12,000 troops to support Russian forces, thousands of whom have been killed or injured in combat.
(With inputs from Reuters)
