Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shares footage of captured Chinese soldiers, amid doubts from Beijing and skepticism from international observers about their role in the conflict.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has released a video purporting to show the interrogation of two captured Chinese soldiers, amidst assertions from Beijing that such claims are unfounded. The recording features the soldiers, who were reportedly carrying passports from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including one issued as recently as 2023.
In the video, the soldiers discuss their experiences in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with one soldier indicating that his involvement marked his first deployment, stating that he had no prior experience handling a weapon. Another individual, identified as Wang Guangjun, recounted a harrowing encounter during his capture, claiming that he was almost suffocated by Russian servicemen but was ultimately rescued by a Ukrainian soldier.
Zelensky has claimed that Ukrainian intelligence indicates the existence of at least 155 Chinese citizens engaged in combat on behalf of the Russian military in Ukraine. He further alleged that Russian forces are actively recruiting Chinese nationals through social media platforms and suggested that Chinese authorities are aware of this activity.
Amidst the escalating tensions surrounding the involvement of foreign nationals in the conflict, Keith Kellogg, who served as Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, expressed skepticism regarding Zelensky's assertions. Kellogg stated that he is "not convinced yet" that the Chinese personnel being identified as fighting for Russia are anything more than mercenaries or volunteers.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics of the ongoing war in Ukraine, particularly regarding the involvement of foreign fighters, and presents a growing concern for both Ukrainian and international observers.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative pertains to ongoing geopolitical events, including references to current figures like Volodymyr Zelensky and developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. The mention of passports issued in 2023 suggests recentness, although specific news items are not compared to earlier versions.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes are attributed to public figures like Keith Kellogg, but the earliest known references for these specific quotes were not found online, suggesting this may be a recent source or original context. However, without concrete verification, it remains a bit speculative.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a well-established news outlet known for its reliability. However, assertions within the narrative, such as claims about Chinese soldiers, require additional verification due to the sensitive nature of international conflicts.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Claims of foreign involvement in the conflict are plausible given the geopolitical context. However, specific details like the recruitment of Chinese nationals and the presence of 155 Chinese combatants need verification through multiple, credible sources to establish their factual basis.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative is generally plausible due to its relevance to ongoing international events, it involves specific claims requiring further verification, especially regarding the involvement of Chinese citizens. The source is reliable, but the subject matter's complexity and the need for additional evidence prevent a definitive verdict.
