Reports indicate that Chinese nationals, referred to as “mercenaries,” have faced fatalities on the front lines in Ukraine, based on information from a social media group dedicated to honoring fallen Russian soldiers.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many foreigners have joined the fight on Russia’s side, yet substantial evidence of Chinese individuals among them remains sparse.
On Wednesday, an account called PS01△ on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that “the Ukrainian Armed Forces have killed two Chinese mercenaries,” sharing a post from the pro-war volunteer group ZOVNovoshakhtinsk.
The post commemorated two soldiers known by their nicknames “Sprite” and “Cola,” describing them as “good guys” and skilled fighters who had recently died. Photos displayed the two young Asian men in military apparel, with discussions in the comments speculating about the short timeframe between their enlistment and demise.
ZOVNovoshakhtinsk is reportedly an initiative comprised mainly of relatives of mobilized individuals from Novoshakhtinsk, a city in southwest Russia that lies near the Ukrainian border, which the Kremlin refers to as the “Special Military Operation.”
The group is known for putting up billboards honoring local residents who lost their lives in the conflict.
Interestingly, Kyiv has also seen an influx of foreign fighters since establishing its International Legion to bolster Ukraine’s defenses, including Tseng Sheng-guang from Taiwan, the first East Asian casualty reported in the war in November 2022.
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Although China has been positioning itself as a neutral player in the ongoing war, it has strengthened ties with Russia, subdued dissent on social media regarding the conflict, and continues to support Russia’s economy by purchasing large amounts of oil and gas.
While China asserts it has not provided military weapons or direct support to Russia, Ukraine alleges that certain Chinese dual-use components have been incorporated into Russian military technology. Furthermore, recent reports indicate Chinese researchers have assisted in developing more lethal drones for Russia.