More than one hundred Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military against Ukraine are mercenaries who do not appear to have a direct link to China’s government, according to two US officials familiar with American intelligence and a former Western intelligence official, Reuters reported on 11 April. However, according to the former official speaking to Reuters, Chinese military officers have been operating behind Russia’s lines with Beijing’s approval to gather tactical insights from the war.

Anonymous officials told Reuters these fighters appear to have minimal training and are not having any significant impact on Russia’s military operations. 

A former Western intelligence official with knowledge of the issue told Reuters there were approximately 200 Chinese mercenaries fighting for Russia with whom the Chinese government allegedly has no link.

However, the same source revealed that Chinese military officers have been touring areas close to Russia’s frontlines with Beijing’s official approval. These officers “are absolutely there under approval” from the Chinese government, using the opportunity to draw tactical lessons from the war, the former official explained.

China has dismissed Zelenskyy’s remarks as “irresponsible” and insists it is not a party to the war, despite its “no-limits” partnership with Russia and refusal to condemn Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.