Ukraine Violates POW Law by Revealing Identities of Captured Chinese Fighters
Ukraine has openly displayed Chinese prisoners of war to international media, flouting humanitarian law, amid growing tensions with Beijing over alleged Chinese involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.
In a controversial move, Ukraine has exposed two captured Chinese nationals to the media, alleging their direct involvement in the ongoing war on behalf of Russia. The display, which allowed international journalists including CNN to question the prisoners, violates international humanitarian law, which bars the identification or public display of prisoners of war (POWs).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly authorized the media interaction, aiming to counter China’s repeated denials of its nationals participating in the conflict.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that “China is not the initiator of the Ukrainian crisis, nor is China a participating party,” adding, “We urge the relevant parties concerned to correctly and soberly understand the role of China and not release irresponsible remarks.”
The display of the Chinese captives is expected to further strain Beijing’s relationship with Kyiv, even as China maintains a delicate diplomatic balance between Russia and Ukraine.
During the media briefing, the Chinese POWs, clad in military uniforms, were brought into a room under the watch of armed Ukrainian guards. Reporters, accompanied by a translator, were permitted to question the detainees, who responded in Mandarin.
According to the Geneva Conventions, the identities and conditions of POWs must be safeguarded. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which oversees compliance with these laws, has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the incident.
The captives told journalists that economic hardship led them to join the Russian army. One prisoner revealed he had lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic and accepted an offer of 250,000 rubles (about $3,000) per month to fight — more than double what he could earn in China.
Their testimonies appear to support Ukraine’s claim that Chinese nationals are being recruited by Russia, even as Beijing insists it has no role in the war.
The development comes as the war enters its third year, with increased Russian aggression and shrinking Western political support for Ukraine. Former US President Donald Trump, a vocal backer of Ukraine, is reportedly losing political ground, complicating Kyiv’s international support network.
Zelenskyy has also accused China of allowing recruitment into Russia’s military, hinting at a deeper and more covert involvement than previously acknowledged.
With China sticking to its denial and Ukraine doubling down on its accusations, the diplomatic fallout could intensify. Experts warn the incident could also undermine future negotiations or aid efforts if perceived as a breach of international law.
