Wed Apr 09 10:37:18 UTC 2025: ## China Denies Ukrainian Claims of Chinese Soldiers Fighting Alongside Russia
**Kyiv, Ukraine/Beijing, China – April 9, 2025** – Ukraine’s claim that a significant number of Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war has been vehemently denied by China. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that two Chinese men were captured fighting in the eastern Donetsk region, asserting that this was only a fraction of a larger contingent.
This is the first time Ukraine has publicly accused China of direct military involvement in the conflict, which began in February 2022. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the allegations as “totally unfounded,” stating that the Chinese government urges its citizens to avoid conflict zones and refrain from participating in any military operations. This suggests the captured Chinese soldiers acted independently.
While China has provided substantial diplomatic and economic support to Russia, including significant trade in energy and goods, Beijing maintains it has not knowingly supplied troops, weapons, or military expertise. A vague Chinese peace plan proposed earlier was largely dismissed by the international community.
The United States expressed concern over the reports. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called the allegations “disturbing” and reiterated claims that China is a major enabler of Russia’s war effort, providing almost 80% of the dual-use goods Russia needs to sustain the conflict. Tensions between Washington and Beijing remain high amid ongoing geopolitical disputes.
Meanwhile, fighting continues intensely along the front line, with both sides preparing for anticipated spring-summer offensives. Overnight, Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine suffered a massive drone attack, injuring civilians. Russia also claimed to have intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones. The ongoing war of attrition continues to take a heavy toll on both sides.
First Piper 