China has rejected as "absolutely groundless" claims by Ukraine that "many" Chinese citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces against it.
"The Chinese side is verifying relevant information with the Ukrainian side," spokesperson Lin Jian said, adding "the Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict (and) avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form".
China's rebuke comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian troops captured two Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian forces in the Donetsk region.
"We have the documents of these prisoners, bank cards and personal data," Mr Zelensky said in a social post yesterday that also included a video of one of the alleged Chinese prisoners.
Our military has captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting as part of the Russian army. This happened on Ukrainian territory—in the Donetsk region. Identification documents, bank cards, and personal data were found in their possession.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 8, 2025
We have information suggesting that… pic.twitter.com/ekBr6hCkQL
The video of the alleged Chinese prisoners shared by Ukraine shows a man wearing military fatigues with his hands bound.
He mimicked sounds from combat and uttered several words in Mandarin during an apparent interview with a Ukrainian official not pictured.
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP they were captured "a few days ago", adding there may be more such cases.
They said the prisoners were likely Chinese citizens who were enticed into signing a contract with the Russian army, rather than being sent by China.
Mr Zelensky said there was evidence that "many more Chinese citizens" were fighting with Russian forces, a claim Mr Lin said was "absolutely groundless".
"The Chinese side's position on the issue of the Ukraine crisis is clear and unequivocal, and has won widespread approval from the international community," Mr Lin said.
"The Ukrainian side should correctly view China's efforts and constructive role in pushing for a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis," he added.
China presents itself as a neutral party in the conflict and says it is not sending lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations.
China and Russia have deepened political, military and economic cooperation since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
But it is a close political and economic ally of Russia, and NATO members have branded China a "decisive enabler" of Russia's offensive, which it has never condemned.
Russia has yet to comment formally on the claims.
Ukraine has repeatedly urged China to pressure Russia to end its invasion that has cost tens of thousands of lives and yet still so far failed to see Russia achieve its core objectives.
Ukraine has also been seeking to deepen ties with China and this week Mr Zelensky appointed a new ambassador to China.
However, Mr Zelensky raised concern over Chinese personnel fighting on Ukrainian territory as North Korean troops fight with Russian forces in the Kursk region.
"I think this is an important point that we need to discuss with our partners, I think urgently," he said at a press conference.
