4 d. ago ‘Do you want to show strength here?’: Russia’s ads recruiting Chinese mercenaries

More than 150 Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, recruited via videos on social mediaThe videos are across Chinese social media. Some are slickly produced Russian propaganda about being “tough” men; some sound more like influencer advertisements for a working holiday. Others are cobbled-together screenshots by regular citizens about to leave China. But they all have one thing in common: selling the benefits of becoming a Chinese mercenary for Russia.On Tuesday, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announced that two Chinese nationals had been captured in the eastern Donetsk region and accused Moscow of trying to involve China “directly or indirectly” in the conflict. A day later, he said the men were among at least 155 other Chinese members of Russia’s armed forces. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Ukraine says 150 Chinese troops fighting for Russia days after capturing two soldiers

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese men fighting alongside the Russian army on Ukrainian soil

Sport

5 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says US ‘very surprised’ after Chinese fighters captured on frontline

Ukraine president says more than 150 Chinese involved in fighting for Russia; US lawmakers criticise reports of planned troop pullbacks in Europe. What we know on day 1,142See all our Ukraine war coverageVolodymyr Zelenskyy accused Beijing of turning a blind eye to the recruitment of Chinese nationals to fight for Russia, adding he believed the US was “very surprised” by the revelation. The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv has obtained passport details of at least 155 fighters from China in the war. While Zelenskyy said Beijing knew its citizens were there, he didn’t believe the country had given “some kind of command” they join the fight.Zelenskyy added he believes Russia is using social media, including TikTok, to recruit. He said he was prepared to exchange captured Chinese soldiers with Ukrainian servicemen in detention.China called those claims “groundless”, saying they are contrary to an effort to find a political solution to the ongoing war. “The Chinese government always asks Chin...

Events

5 d. ago What the capture of Chinese soldiers says about Beijing’s role in Ukraine

The emergence of Chinese combatants in Donetsk – astutely publicised by Ukraine just as America is in a trade showdown with China – has illuminated the shadows of a very modern conflict, writes Michael Sheridan

Events

5 d. ago CHRIS HUGHES: Chinese fighters captured in Ukraine has worrying implications for world

Ukraine's President Volodymyr is cautious about the seizure of two 'Chinese nationals' on Ukraine's eastern front - they may be mercenaries, however, or there for a more sinister reason

Politics

6 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy demands answers over Chinese nationals fighting for Russia

The Ukrainian president says the Chinese nationals were just two of many fighting with Russian forces. What we know on day 1,141Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government is seeking clarification from Beijing after Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals fighting with Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region.Zelenskyy said the captured fighters were two of many more Chinese members of the Russian armed forces, and he accused the Kremlin of trying to involve Beijing in the conflict “directly or indirectly”. A few hundred Chinese nationals are thought to have travelled to fight as mercenaries with the Russian army alongside others from Nepal and central Asian countries.US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called the development “disturbing”, adding: “China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine.”Russian forces staged massive drone attacks on the Ukrainian cities of Dnipro and Kharkiv late on Tuesday, triggering fires and injuring at least 17 people, region...

Events

6 d. ago Chinese troops captured fighting for Russia in Ukraine, says Zelenskyy

Ukraine’s president claims he has information that “significantly more” are with Russian forces

Politics

6 d. ago Ukraine captures Chinese soldiers on frontlines amid rising Russian tensions

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed new cross-border operations into Russia and demanded answers from Beijing.

Events

6 d. ago Two Chinese nationals caught fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian president says men’s capture shows Moscow is trying to involve Beijing in the war ‘directly or indirectly’Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals fighting with the Russian army in the eastern Donetsk region, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.They are two of what Ukraine’s president described as many more Chinese members of the Russian armed forces, and their capture prompted him to accuse the Kremlin of trying to involve Beijing in the conflict “directly or indirectly”. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Chinese nationals captured fighting for Russia in Ukraine, says Zelenskyy – Europe live

Ukrainian president says forces captured two Chinese men fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine and calls for response from BeijingThe US administration is reportedly considering withdrawing up to 10,000 US soldiers from central and eastern Europe, according to a report by US broadcaster NBC News.The unconfirmed plans are understood to be looking at reducing US presence in Poland and Romania, despite what regional leaders see as a growing threat from increasingly aggressive Russia. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Zelenskyy says Chinese men fighting for Russia captured in Ukraine

Ukrainian president demands explanation and accuses Beijing of actively participating in Moscow’s war

Politics

6 d. ago Ukraine's Zelenskyy says 2 Chinese were caught fighting for Russia

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the Ukrainian military has captured two Chinese men fighting with the Russian army in the eastern Donetsk region

Events

6 d. ago 'CHINESE soldiers' are captured by Ukraine while fighting for Russia: Zelensky shows video of POW and alleges major escalation

Zelensky said Ukraine had information that there were 'significantly more Chinese citizens' still among the Russian units, adding: 'We are currently clarifying all the facts.'

Events

6 d. ago Chinese troops captured fighting for Russia in Ukraine, says Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian officials have been ordered to obtain an official explanation from China

Politics

6 d. ago Ukraine captures two Chinese soldiers fighting for Putin as WW3 fears grow

China is an ally of Russia and has been accused of helping its war in Ukraine, though Beijing has repeatedly denied allegations that it has supplied Mad Vlad's forces with weapons

Politics

6 d. ago Chinese soldiers captured in Ukraine fighting for Putin Volodymyr Zelensky reveals

Ukrainian forces have confirmed they had fought against six Chinese soldiers and two of them ended up being taken prisoner, President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced

Politics