Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on August 4, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Zelenskiy claims foreign mercenaries from China, Pakistan, and Africa are fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Ukraine vows a response.
KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that Ukrainian troops in northeastern Ukraine were fighting foreign "mercenaries" from various countries including China, Pakistan and parts of Africa, and vowed a response.
Zelenskiy has previously accused Moscow of recruiting Chinese fighters for its war effort against Ukraine, charges Beijing denied, while North Korea has also provided thousands of its own troops in Russia's Kursk region.
"We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defence of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles," Zelenskiy wrote on X after visiting a frontline area in the northeastern 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."
Reuters contacted the embassies of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan in Kyiv to request comment.
Russia did not immediately comment publicly on Zelenskiy's comments.
(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk;Editing by Alison Williams and Helen Popper)
Zelenskiy stated that Ukrainian troops are encountering foreign 'mercenaries' from countries including China, Pakistan, and several African nations.
China has denied the accusations made by Zelenskiy regarding the recruitment of Chinese fighters for Russia's war effort against Ukraine.
Zelenskiy mentioned mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries participating in the conflict.
Zelenskiy made these comments after visiting a frontline area in northeastern Kharkiv, discussing the defense situation with commanders.
Russia did not immediately provide a public comment regarding Zelenskiy's allegations about foreign mercenaries.
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