In a bold and pressing statement, China of militarily supporting placing Beijing alongside in abetting Kremlin-led war crimes. This declaration comes over the widening scope of international involvement in the war.

Speaking at a press briefing in Kyiv on April 8, Zelenskyy emphasized that China’s support is no longer limited to dual-use goods or political neutrality but has extended into direct participation in the conflict. “China is now among the countries militarily aiding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” the President said. “Unlike North Korean units active near the Kursk front.

Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian forces recently during a battle in the Donetsk region, where a total of six Chinese combatants were reportedly involved. “These individuals were not just present in the area—they were active participants in hostilities against our troops,” he noted, adding that personal documents, bank cards, and other identifiers were recovered from the captives. The detainees are currently held by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which has launched a comprehensive investigation into the extent of Chinese involvement.

The incident has triggered a diplomatic ripple. Zelenskyy has instructed to demand an explanation from Beijing. The temporary chargé d’affaires of China has been summoned for an official protest. According to Deputy “The participation of Chinese nationals in military action, but also erodes trust in its role as a responsible.”

hina’s growing role in the conflict is not entirely new. The European Commission has previously identified China as the leading supplier of dual-use goods to Russia—technologies and materials that can be repurposed for military use. This support has allowed Moscow to continue its aggression despite mounting international sanctions and battlefield losses.

For Zelenskyy, the implications of Beijing’s actions go far beyond the battlefield. “Russia’s engagement with China, either directly or indirectly, is a message from Putin to the world: he is not seeking peace, but ways to continue this war,” the President said. “Such moves demand a decisive and all who value global stability.”

The Ukrainian leader also expressed hope that Washington might reconsider its recent absence from the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein Format) meeting in light of China’s apparent involvement. “This war is not just a regional issue anymore,” he stressed. “It is a test of whether still hold weight in the 21st century.”

As Ukraine’s military, intelligence, and diplomatic corps work to uncover the full scale of Chinese participation, Zelenskyy’s message remains unambiguous: the world must not turn a blind eye to any nation—no matter how powerful—complicit in undermining peace and international norms.