More than 150 Chinese mercenaries recruited by Putin fighting against Ukraine, says Zelensky

About 155 Chinese mercenaries are warring for the Russian subject against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed.

The Kremlin is recruiting Chinese radical via societal media – and Beijing knows it, according to Ukrainian intelligence, Mr Zelensky said.

He said Kyiv was trying to measure whether the recruits were receiving instructions from the Chinese government.

In China, officials branded the allegations "totally unfounded".

But Mr Zelensky said quality chiefs had the details of 155 Chinese citizens warring for the Russian army, adding: “We judge that determination are galore much of them.”

He showed journalists documents that helium said listed the names, passport numbers and idiosyncratic accusation connected the recruits, including erstwhile they arrived successful Russia for subject grooming and departed for service.

On Tuesday the Ukrainian person announced the subject had captured 2 Chinese men warring alongside the Russian service connected Ukrainian ungraded successful the eastbound Donetsk region, saying determination were “significantly more” of them. It was the archetypal clip Ukraine had made specified a assertion astir Chinese fighters successful the war.

On Wednesday, helium said Ukraine was consenting to speech the 2 prisoners of warfare for Ukrainian soldiers held captive successful Russia.

He stopped abbreviated of saying the Chinese authorities authorised the mercenaries' engagement successful Ukraine, but said Beijing officials were alert of Russia's run to enlistee Chinese mercenaries – though helium provided nary evidence.

China has provided beardown diplomatic enactment for Russia since it launched its warfare connected Ukraine successful February 2022.

It has besides sold Russia machinery and microelectronics that tin beryllium utilized to marque weapons, Western officials say, successful summation to providing an economical lifeline done commercialized successful vigor and user goods.

But China is not believed to person knowingly provided Russia with troops, weapons oregon subject expertise.

A spokesperson for China's overseas ministry said earlier the authorities had ever required its citizens to debar areas of equipped struggle and "especially to debar participating successful the subject operations of immoderate party".

Spokesperson Lin Jian said China had played a "constructive relation successful politically resolving the Ukraine crisis".

US officials person accused Iran of providing Russia with drones, and North Korea of sending thousands of troops and ammunition.

Mr Zelensky said US officials expressed astonishment erstwhile informed of the beingness of Chinese mercenaries successful Ukraine.

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said connected Tuesday that reports of Chinese citizens warring connected behalf of Russia were disturbing.

“China is simply a large enabler of Russia successful the warfare successful Ukraine,” Ms Bruce said.