The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is conducting the first procedural actions against captured Chinese citizens who took part in hostilities on the side of Russia. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening video address on 9 April.
According to him, the prisoners are in Kyiv and are testifying to SBU investigators about how they ended up at the front and became participants in an international crime – Russia’s war against Ukraine.
‘We also have information about other Chinese citizens in the Russian army – with names, surnames and a description of the specific ways such soldiers got into the Russian occupation contingent,’ Zelenskyy said.
The President stressed that this information would be transmitted to the Chinese side through diplomatic channels and brought to the attention of the international community. He noted that the participation of Chinese citizens in this war contradicts Beijing’s official statements on the need to avoid escalation of the conflict.
‘The involvement of Chinese citizens in this war is definitely fuelling a bigger problem. And we must respond to this on an absolutely fundamental basis,’ Zelenskyy said.
He called on international partners to take a strong stand in support of Ukraine and condemn actions that contribute to the strengthening of the Russian occupation contingent.