- Ukrainian forces engaged with six Chinese troops in the Donetsk region, capturing two, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, who shared footage of one detainee on X.
- Kyiv has demanded an explanation from Beijing, stating that the incident undermines China's credibility as a responsible member of the UN Security Council.
- The clash occurred near Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Donetsk, marking potentially the most significant involvement of foreign fighters since North Koreans assisted Russian troops in Kursk.
- Analysts suggest the involvement of Chinese troops could indicate Russian manpower shortages, with Moscow potentially using foreign mercenaries to avoid domestic conscription and potential rebellion.
- Experts believe Zelensky may be seeking to drive a wedge between Washington and Moscow, capitalising on the Trump administration's hostile stance towards China to gain stronger US support for Ukraine.
Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
One app.
Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles. One news app.
Chinese soldiers caught fighting for Putin in Ukraine, Zelensky claims
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member?
Sign in here
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member?
Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member?
Sign in here
Our Picks