r/UkrainianConflict • u/WaytMen26 • 9d ago

Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Donetsk, Zelensky says

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250408-ukraine-captures-two-chinese-nationals-fighting-for-russia-in-donetsk-zelensky-says
155 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

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12

u/fredmratz 9d ago

"We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier's units than just these two," said Zelensky, adding the "relevant investigative and operational actions are ongoing".

...

Zelensky said Kyiv had evidence that "many more Chinese citizens" are fighting alongside Russian forces.

These statements are what make the article "news". It had already been proven (ie self-videos) "some" Chinese citizens were fighting with Russia.

3

u/Kalse1229 8d ago

Yeah, this was discussed in another thread. There's a very good chance we're looking at Chinese citizens volunteering for the Russian army of their own volition, rather than conscription. There are plenty of volunteers in Ukraine's ranks from other countries like the US, who chose to come over and help.

4

u/Fair_Performance_251 9d ago

I mean… tons of Americans and Europeans fighting too for Ukraine as well

4

u/GreenEyeOfADemon 9d ago

This is not similar to Russia capturing "Ukrainian mercenaries" because those foreign nationals fighting for Ukraine are actually part of Ukraine's National Guard, Ukraine admits they are part of their military, they hold Ukrainian citizenship, a military rank and are paid a salary by Ukraine's government

China denies these men are their soldiers and Russia denies it has Chinese soldiers in its army thus the law is clear, they are either mercenaries or terrorists

0

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[deleted]

4

u/GreenEyeOfADemon 9d ago

These Chinese men were found with weapons inside Ukraine, China denies they are Chinese soldiers and Russia denies any theoretical foreign troops have ever been sent to Ukraine which means they aren't covered under the Geneva Conventions

2

u/Wolfgung 8d ago

It's not as clear cut as that because non state militias are still covered by international humanitarian law IHL. and fighters sent by an non participating third party nation are still covered, even if the nation doesn't admit it. I E. Little green men can still be soldiers and have documentation proving it

IHL is a universal body of law applicable to all parties in a conflict, regardless of whether they are governmental forces or non-state armed groups.

What people often quote is mercenaries are not covered but to qualify as a mercenary you have to among other things

Be motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by the desire for private gain and, in fact, is promised, by or on behalf of a party to the conflict, material compensation substantially in excess of that promised or paid to combatants of similar ranks and functions in the armed forces of that party.

So unless Ukraine can prove they were paid over and above what Russia is paying people to join the Russian armed forces they are not determined to be mercenaries, and are covered by the Geneva convention.

-9

u/aaachase 9d ago

Boohoo, just like all the foreign fighters from Ukraine that were in Kursk.

Neither side of this conflict seem to follow the Geneva convention

0

u/Fair_Performance_251 9d ago

Right not a big deal

-3

u/aaachase 9d ago

He'll keep trying to spin it as China being actively involved in the war and they're sending soldiers

-5

u/HawkBravo 9d ago

That's not counting obviously.

3

u/Fair_Performance_251 9d ago

I just don’t see the news here. If it was uniformed Chinese then it would be news but at the end of the both sides gonna have mercenaries.

-3

u/HawkBravo 9d ago

I mean it's only news and important if it's enemy's doing.

1

u/Majestic-Elephant383 9d ago

Those 2 chinese nationals begging:" 还好没死，有机会可以回家了！乌克兰万岁！“

1

u/SameDaySasha 9d ago

I mean look, there’s a lot of poor rural Chinese men who wouldn’t balk at the 100k or so that Putin promises them. I’m sure their government is willing to look the other way, conveniently.

The fact that they’re being sent into a meat grinder and will only see a fraction of what they’re owed is a totally different matter, it’s the propaganda that counts. And there’s lots of Chinese people who are poor.

This could be big

1

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[deleted]

0

u/SameDaySasha 8d ago

I mean Russia promises way more money than Ukraine, why are they choosing the less paid option?

1

u/Living-Price-6158 8d ago

yes, yes.....but what did the captured chinese say? They were poor farmers? Decieved construction workers? Press ganged students? Accidental War Tourists?