Chinese mercenaries have long fought within the ranks of the Russian Army. The capture of two of them by Ukraine on the front line has turned it into a diplomatic issue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday, April 8, the arrest of two Chinese nationals in the Donetsk region and released a video of one of them with hands tied, in violation of the Geneva Conventions related to the treatment of prisoners of war. He condemned "China's involvement in this war in Europe, directly or indirectly." Their nationality would have been confirmed by identity documents, bank cards, and other personal data. "We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier's units than just these two," added the Ukrainian head of state.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha explained that the Ukrainian Army initially believed they were North Korean soldiers when capturing these two men a few days ago and estimated that others have probably been killed in combat. The Financial Times reports that they are 31 and 33 years old and were part of a unit of six Chinese men.

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