“Several hundred”
Chinese soldiers in the Ukraine War: Selenskyj gives new numbers
04/11/2025 – 7:20 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Selenskyj raises new allegations against China. So far, Beijing has denied every participation in the Ukraine War.
According to the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj, “several hundred” Chinese for Russia are fighting in the Ukraine War. “We have information that at least several hundred Chinese citizens are fighting as part of the Russian occupying forces,” said Selenskyj on Friday by video count at a meeting of the so-called Ukraine contact group in Brussels. “This means that Russia clearly tries to extend this war – even under the use of Chinese life.”
Selenskyj had stated on Tuesday that his army captured two Chinese soldiers who had fought in the Donetsk region on the side of the Russian army. The following day, the Ukrainian President explained that Kiev had information about 155 Chinese who were in use for Russia. Beijing is “aware of this”. The Chinese Foreign Ministry subsequently condemned “irresponsible statements”.
Selenskyj spoke on Friday in his hometown Krywyj Rih, where 19 people were killed in a Russian rocket attack last week, including nine children. He asked the Ukraine contact group allied in Brussels via video counters for more air defense systems and specifically for ten patriot systems.
“You know that Ukraine is missing from air defense systems. You know that patriot systems can effectively protect against ballistic threats,” said Selenskyj. “We really need it. Ten patriot systems-the free world has it.”
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had previously said at the meeting of the Ukraine contact group that Germany will deliver four other Iris-T air defense systems to Kiev this year. With a view to the Patriot Aviation System, Pistorius said that Germany had already provided three complete patriot systems. A further system is currently not possible for the Federal Republic.
The 27th meeting of the Ukraine contact group in Ramstein format took place for the first time in Brussels under a joint German-British leadership. After taking office by President Donald Trump, the United States withdrawn from the leadership of the format, which it had launched after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The United States wants to drastically restrict its military aids for Ukraine and rely on a ceasefire with Russia. US defense minister Pete Hegseth was only virtually switched on on Friday.
