Ukrainian intelligence: Chinese fighting for Russia could be linked to special services

Oleh Ivashchenko, chief of the Foreign Intelligence Service, said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"In each country, special services are solving particular tasks, and we cannot rule out that these were representatives [of special services] who are adopting the experience of modern warfare," he said.

According to Ivashchenko, the Russians are sharing military knowledge with the Chinese at various levels — through military cooperation, joint planning, and staff-level coordination. This includes the conduct of joint military exercises.

"The Chinese are also being invited to take part in collaborative Russo-Belarusian military maneuvers that are scheduled to be held at military training grounds in Belarus and Russia. It is during these international military cooperation events where experience is being shared," he added.

He also stressed that Russia hosts a significant number of Chinese nationals, as well as individuals from other countries, including Central Asian states.

In total, approximately six million foreigners are temporarily residing in Russia.

"These are those who came in search of job opportunities, as well as students from Asian and African countries. And they, like every foreigner in Russia, could well end up in the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces after committing minor administrative offences or lured by monetary reward. We do not rule out this possibility," Ivashchenko said.

In April 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that at least 155 Chinese nationals were involved in Russia's war against Ukraine, though the actual number could be higher. Two of them were captured and claimed they had voluntarily decided to join the fight on Russia's side.