Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting for the Russian army in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

The Ukrainian president said intelligence suggested the number of Chinese soldiers in Russia’s army is “much higher than two”.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Chinese troops fighting on Ukrainian territory “puts into question China’s declared stance for peace” and added that their envoy in Kyiv has been summoned for an explanation.

It marks the first official allegation that China is supplying Russia with manpower for its war in Ukraine. There has been no immediate response to the claims from Moscow or Beijing.

[…]

  • jws_shadotak@sh.itjust.works
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    5 days ago

    The Ukrainian president said intelligence suggested the number of Chinese soldiers in Russia’s army is “much higher than two”.

    lmao

    • Droechai@lemm.ee
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      4 days ago

      I wonder what the odds are for it to just be two and both got captured. Sounds like Harold and Kumar visiting Finland, accidently finding an empty border station where the guards are away drunk and when the guards come back they report two American soldiers invading and holding the station

    • Pirata@lemm.ee
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      4 days ago

      Yeah, they could. Or, they also couldn’t.

      The reason we are skeptical is 1. China wins nothing by participating in this conflict, and 2. They don’t have a history of being interested in war anyway.

      Edit: loving the downvotes with zero counter arguments. I can see this community is as toxic as ever. Remember the mantra your US overlords taught you: “China Bad”. 🤡

      • Dead_or_Alive@lemmy.world
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        4 days ago

        2. They don’t have a history of being interested in war anyway.

        Vietnam, Tibet, India and Taiwan might have a different opinion…

      • HotznplotznOP
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        4 days ago

        @Pirata@lemm.ee

        with zero counter arguments

        Where are your arguments? You just made two statements out of the blue with nothing that backs them, supposedly parroting the propaganda your overlords taught you: “China bad okay.”

  • Pirata@lemm.ee
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    5 days ago

    Two? So what? Is this article trying to imply China is in full support of Russia’s invasion based on this extreme anecdote?

    I’m all in favour of Ukraine and Zelensky but this a nothing burger.

    • stoy@lemmy.zip
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      5 days ago

      These are the first two captured/found, the two in and of themselves are not a huge fighting force, but it shows that Ukraine should prepare to deal with possible further reenforcements…

      • Pirata@lemm.ee
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        5 days ago

        I understand, but I mean, because two Chinese soldiers were found, is this somehow a declaration of war?

        People can volunteer for war from any nationality and to assume anything based on this is pretty disrespectful considering China has been quite clear on their stance on this matter.

        We might be needing China more than ever, too, so I think it’s a mistake to antagonise them without a cause.

        • GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          4 days ago

          I’m sorry, where were these people captured? In China? No? They were captured in Ukraine. How is that “antagonizing China?” Sounds a lot like something an apologist would imply.

          China has been quite clear on their stance on this matter.

          And these fighters call those claims into question. Do you need a fucking puppet show?!

          • Pirata@lemm.ee
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            4 days ago

            I’m sorry, where were these people captured? In China? No? They were captured in Ukraine

            Do you know how many European citizens are currently fighting in Ukraine? I suppose in your mind we are already at war with Russia, Article 5 has been triggered and all. Right?

            And these fighters call those claims into question. Do you need a fucking puppet show?!

            Yes, I do. Because these two events don’t connect, unless you just want to hate on China.

            No comment on that “apologist” retort. I know some of you guys like to pretend that Chinese people are part of some hivemind and have no autonomy from their government whatsoever, but that’s just straight up racism from your part. There really is no other word for it.

        • federal reverse@feddit.orgM
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          4 days ago

          We might be needing China more than ever, too, so I think it’s a mistake to antagonise them without a cause.

          Countless Western politicians went to China and told leadership that human rights are important, minorities not eradicated, etc. Chinese leadership doesn’t really care, as long as Europe/the US remain places where Chinese exports can go.

          While we do need China, it would be a massive mistake to blindly trust that Chinese products won’t betray us in the end. They are bound to eventually use the industrial monopolies they are building up against e.g. EU interests.

          • Pirata@lemm.ee
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            4 days ago

            I agree with you, and I’m not arguing to trust them blindly. What I am against is accusing them without evidence, which is what is happening here.

            I am arguing for Trust, but Verify. China is useful right now as we slowly veer away from US services.

    • randomname@scribe.disroot.org
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      5 days ago

      “We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than just these two,” he said.

  • softcat@lemmy.ca
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    5 days ago

    Russia could demand that every country with a foreign volunteer for Ukraine answer for them, they’d rightly get the same brush-off.

    Two guys (who knows, maybe even three) who are Chinese nationals serving in the Russian Army and not PLA soldiers doesn’t mean “Chinese troops”, it’s Russian troops.

    • Venus_Ziegenfalle@feddit.org
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      I don’t understand why you’re being downvoted. It’s probably quite a bit more than 3 as well but that’s not the point. The point is that a lot of foreign citizens are involved on both sides. There’s a dedicated Wikipedia article. It woult have been surprising not to find Chinese people among the Russian troops. That’s not to say it’s not worth looking into this. If the Chinese government organizes their participation it’s a different story but for now this isn’t the big reveal the article would have you believe.

      • Clent@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        4 days ago

        Former Soviet nations is hardly an equivalent and none of those are hiding their involvement.

  • solo@slrpnk.net
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    5 days ago

    Please, have mercy.

    This is a Europe community and almost all of your numerous posts today are somehow about China. And just to be clear, I don’t support China.

      • solo@slrpnk.net
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        4 days ago

        You are totally right. This article is related to Europe, like all the others that are related somehow to China as well. Some were interesting, some borderline (?) conspiratorial but the point I wanted to make is that I lost count! This is why I asked the OP for mercy.

    • arakhis_@feddit.org
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      5 days ago

      if x-nation would start a war with europe it would be on the europe news?

  • x00z@lemmy.world
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    5 days ago

    Ukraine has soldiers from all over the world.

    Can’t it just be mercenaries?