• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Zelensky alleges 'mercenaries' from several countries fight for Russia, including China; expert says claim shifts blame for battlefield setbacks

Global Times

By Zhao Yusha Published: Aug 05, 2025 01:53 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday claimed that Ukrainian troops were fighting foreign "mercenaries" from various countries including China, Pakistan and parts of Africa, and vowed a response.

In response to Zelensky's previous claim that Ukraine knows the personal details of a number of Chinese nationals who are fighting for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry has called on the relevant party to be right and sober about China's role and refrain from making irresponsible remarks.

"We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defence of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles," Zelensky wrote on X on Monday after visiting a frontline area in the north-eastern Kharkiv region. "Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond."

A Chinese military expert believes that Zelensky's remarks are an attempt to shift the blame for Ukraine's battlefield defeats onto so-called external factors.

Zelensky has recently been frequently blaming Ukraine's battlefield setbacks on external factors, accusing not only Russia but also several other countries of supporting Moscow by sending mercenaries and purchasing Russian oil, which he claims has prevented Ukraine from achieving victory, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times. In fact, the wavering support from the US, NATO and other Western allies is the primary reason for Ukraine's struggles on the battlefield, Song said.

Last week, Russia said it had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting, opening the way for potential further advances, per Reuters.

In April, Zelensky claimed that Ukraine knows the personal details of a number of Chinese nationals who are fighting for Russia in the crisis.

Answering a question about Zelensky's claims, Lin Jian, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at the time the Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any party's military operations. We call on the relevant party to be right and sober about China's role and refrain from making irresponsible remarks, said Lin.

Pakistan's Foreign Office on Tuesday also rejected claims of Pakistani nationals being involved in the Ukraine conflict after the claims issued by Zelensky, Pakistani media Dawn reported.
The statement by Pakistan's Foreign Office said Pakistan "categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine".

"To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims."

The statement added that the government would take up this matter with the Ukrainian