Over 100 Chinese citizens reportedly fight on Russia's side but have no ties with Beijing
More than a hundred Chinese citizens fighting on the side of Russia against Ukraine are mercenaries and, according to US intelligence, have no direct connection to the Chinese government.
Source: Reuters with reference to two US officials familiar with the US intelligence findings and a former Western intelligence official
Details: The latter said that about 200 Chinese mercenaries are fighting for Russia and have no connection to the Chinese government.
However, he said, Chinese military officers are near the Russian front line with Beijing's permission to "draw tactical lessons from the war".
US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Chinese fighters appear to have minimal training and no discernible impact on Russia's military operations.
Previously: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that at least several hundred Chinese citizens are fighting as part of the Russian occupation forces.
Read more: Zelenskyy posts video of interrogation of Chinese POWs captured in Donetsk Oblast
Background:
- On 8 April, Zelenskyy announced that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese citizens who had fought in the Russian army in Donetsk Oblast. Zelenskyy instructed the foreign minister to immediately contact Beijing and find out how China was going to respond.
- It is known that two citizens of the People's Republic of China were captured in Donetsk Oblast by soldiers of the 81st Separate Airborne Brigade of the Air Assault Forces and the 157th Separate Mechanised Brigade.
- US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, in response to the evidence of Chinese citizens' involvement in the war against Ukraine, emphasised China's role in supporting Russian aggression.
- On 9 April, the Zelenskyy said that 155 Chinese citizens were fighting against Ukraine on its territory, but there might be more.
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