Brief
Ukrainian unit trains Chinese volunteers amid security concerns
Around a dozen Chinese fighters are being trained by a Ukrainian unit, with five already sent home after Chinese authorities intervened.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A Ukrainian reconnaissance unit near the front lines is running a programme to train Chinese volunteers, according to The Guardian. The unit’s commander, known as "Muse," said about a dozen Chinese men have joined, but five have already returned to China because of pressure from Chinese authorities.
The volunteers are part of a broader pool of roughly 16,000 foreign fighters in Ukraine, representing less than 3% of the armed forces. China’s foreign ministry has issued security alerts urging its nationals to avoid conflict zones, and some volunteers reported being questioned by Chinese security services.
Muse asked that the identities of the Chinese soldiers remain hidden for their safety and that of their families.
Key facts
- A Ukrainian reconnaissance unit is training Chinese volunteers, with about a dozen currently enrolled. (theguardian.com)
- Five Chinese volunteers have returned to China after pressure from Chinese authorities. (theguardian.com)
- Foreign fighters total about 16,000 in Ukraine, less than 3% of the armed forces. (theguardian.com)
- China’s foreign ministry issued alerts urging nationals to stay away from armed conflicts. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Inside the Ukrainian military unit training fighters from China”
