Russia recruited dozens of Chinese troops via TikTok, Zelensky says

Chinese citizens have been recruited to fight for Russia against Ukraine via social media networks such as TikTok, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

The Ukrainian president’s comments follow the capture of two Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine on Wednesday, according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The Kyiv Independent reported that at least 163 Chinese nationals are serving in Russia’s armed forces.

Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Russian Defense Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to fight in the Kursk region prompting Kyiv to raise concerns about the entry into the war of Moscow’s ally.

Troops from China, which is Russia’s closest trading partner but officially neutral on Vladimir Putin‘s full-scale invasion, would mark an escalation in the war.

What to Know

Kyiv said it had captured two Chinese fighters on Ukrainian territory on April 8 who were on their first combat mission.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said one captive served in the 2nd Battalion of Russia’s 157th Motorized Rifle Brigade and the other fought in the 1st Battalion of the 81st Motorized Rifle Brigade.

The SBU said the pair were being held in conditions according to international law. They were not wounded and were receiving medical care and had been taken to Kyiv for questioning.

One who was born in 1991, was recruited by a representative of the Russian Federation directly in China and arrived in Moscow in February 2025, when he signed a contract.

The SBU said that the other, born in 1998, said he went to Russia in December 2024, as a tourist and responded to a recruitment ad which promised a payment of 2 million rubles (nearly $24,000).

Zelensky released an interrogation video in which a captive introduced himself via an interpreter as 34-year-old Wang Guangjun from Zhengzhou, Henan Province.

Wang said he surrendered in a group of three, including a Russian soldier. After surrender, Russian forces dropped an explosive with gas on the group, nearly killing the Chinese fighter before a Ukrainian soldier dragged him out of the shelter to safety.

It is unclear how, under what circumstances, this information was obtained. Human Rights Watch (HRW) told Newsweek in January that Ukraine’s sharing of videos of captured North Korean troops was a violation of the international standards for humanitarian treatment in war.

The Kyiv Independent said that it had seen an intelligence document which said at least 163 Chinese nationals are serving in Russia’s Armed Forces, although Zelensky gave a slightly lower figure of 155 to Ukrainian media.

Zelensky said Kyiv believes there are many more and they served in units such as Russia’s 70th, 71st, 255th motorized rifle regiments and they were being recruited via ads on TikTok and other Chinese social networks.

What People Are Saying

Captured Chinese soldier, according to the Kyiv Independent: “It was my first deployment, my first combat mission.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to Ukrainian outlet UNIAN: “One of the schemes is through social networks, in particular Tik-Tok and other Chinese social networks, where Russians distribute commercials.”

What Happens Next

Ukraine has summoned China’s chargé d’affaires to demand an official explanation and express condemnation.

Beijing responded by saying it was “verifying” the claims and that Chinese citizens are prohibited from participating in foreign armed conflicts.