who gave them the go-ahead to send the Chinese troops. As Libby also wonders, could it have been an oligarch who didn't pay them?
I found this article from the AP which seeks to answer the same question: "Ukraine says more than 150 Chinese mercenaries are fighting for Russia in Ukraine." A couple points from the article:
snip
Zelenskyy said Ukraine has the last names and passport data for 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian army and that “we believe that there are many more of them.” He shared with journalists documents listing names, passport numbers and personal details of the alleged Chinese recruits, including when they arrived in Russia for military training and departed for service; the AP has not independently verified the documents.
China has provided strong diplomatic support for Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has also sold Russia machinery and microelectronics that it can use to make weapons, Western officials say, in addition to providing an economic lifeline through the trade in energy and consumer goods.
snip
In Libby's reading, do you remember how she pointed out the secrecy surrounding this and how someone will "spill the beans" and how they are "already out the door?" It is because it is a very treacherous situation when one makes the Chinese government look bad. She said this several times.
Well, this comment below from the Chinese Ministry (Lin is a spokesperson) shows they are careful to draw the line with being the no.1 provider of supplies and materials needed to make arms, but they don't want to send troops. This makes me suspicious that they actually did.
snip
Lin told a daily news briefing Wednesday that “the Chinese government always asks Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones, avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict, and especially refrain from participating in any party’s military operations.”
His comments appeared to indicate that the captured Chinese had joined Russia’s ranks on their own initiative. Both Russia and Ukraine allow foreign soldiers to enlist.
= new reply since forum marked as read
