China rejects claim its citizens are fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine

China on Wednesday rejected "absolutely groundless" claims by Kyiv that "many" Chinese citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his military captured two Chinese men fighting with the Russian army in the eastern Donetsk region and has information that “significantly more” are with Russian forces.

China on Wednesday rejected as "absolutely groundless" claims by Kyiv that "many" Chinese citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine.

"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," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

The ministry also urged its citizens to avoid conflict zones and participating in wars.

Beijing is not known to have provided Russia with weapons or military expertise, and it was not clear whether the Chinese had joined the fight on their own initiative. Russia allows foreigners to enlist in its military, as does Ukraine.

"The Chinese side is verifying relevant information with the Ukrainian side," spokesman Lin Jian said, adding: "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."

The Ukrainian military has said that it captured two Chinese men fighting alongside the Russian army in the eastern Donetsk region and has information that “significantly more” are with Russian forces, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday.

Zelensky said China would be the third country to offer military support to Russia after Iran, which has supplied attack drones, and North Korea, which has supplied soldiers, according to American and South Korean officials.

China has provided strong diplomatic support for Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. Beijing has also offered an economic lifeline through the trade in energy and consumer goods.

Zelensky said a clash with Chinese soldiers occurred near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Donetsk, where six Chinese military personnel engaged Ukrainian troops. Two Chinese were taken prisoner, Zelensky said.