China urges citizens to 'avoid war zones' after two nationals 'captured by Ukraine forces'
9 April 2025, 12:19 | Updated: 9 April 2025, 12:27
China has urged its citizens to 'avoid war zones' after two Chinese nationals were allegedly captured by Ukraine forces.
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke earlier this week after the pair of Chinese nationals were reportedly captured fighting alongside Russia in eastern Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian president, his forces came face to face with six Chinese soldiers during a recent clash, detaining two of them.
Now, Beijing’s foreign ministry has said it rejects what it calls “groundless” claims that more Chinese soldiers were involved in warfare in Ukraine.
China added added that it was yet to verify reports of Chinese nationals being captured in combat.
"The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict (and) avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form,” said Lin Jian, Chinese foreign office spokesperson.
"The Chinese side’s position on the issue of the Ukraine crisis is clear and unequivocal, and has won widespread approval from the international community," he added.
The pair were allegedly identified using identification cards, bank cards and personal data, with Zelenskyy posting a video of one of the captured men to social media.
His government has ordered an explanation from Beijing amid concerns there are "significantly more Chinese citizens" fighting for the Russian army, he added.
But according to UK officials, no links tying the captured troops to the Chinese government have so far been found.
During his earlier address following their capture, Zelenskyy accused China of "joining Russia's war on Ukraine" and said he expects the United States to respond.
This would mark the first official confirmation that China has deployed troops within the European nation and reflect a significant escalation from Beijing.
Demanding an explanation from Beijing on Tuesday, Kyiv said the capture “undermines Beijing's credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council”.
Taking to Telegram, Zelenskyy said: "Our military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army. This happened on the territory of Ukraine - in the Donetsk region. There are documents of these prisoners, bank cards, personal data.
"We have information that there are significantly more Chinese citizens in the occupier's units than two. We are currently clarifying all the facts. Intelligence, the SBU, and the relevant units of the Armed Forces are working.
"I instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to immediately contact Beijing and find out how China is going to react to this.
"Russia's involvement, directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin is going to do anything, except end the war.
"He is looking for a way to continue fighting. This definitely requires a reaction.
"A reaction from the United States, Europe, and everyone in the world who wants peace."
