SHOCKING evidence has revealed that China could be sending troops into Putin's meatgrinder.
Zelensky claimed that found six Chinese nationals fighting in the Donetsk region ofand – but this is just the “tip of the iceberg”.
Military analyst Michael Clarke said that the reported arrest of two Chinese soldiers could be “very serious indeed” as it could mean that, contrary to its official claims, China is backing Russia militarily.
Clarke said that if Chinese soldiers are operating on state orders it would cross “quite a big legal line”.
He said: “That would mean that the Chinese are sending individuals to fight in a contested area to join an invasion of a foreign country.”
The military expert added: “The Chinese would pretend that that isn't the truth. And the Russians would say that Donetsk is Russian territory, but legally, of course, it isn't.
“It's Ukrainian territory, and it has been since 1991.”
Fears that is sending troops to fight for Putin have been fuelled by videos circulating on social media.
Last month, a video emerged on social media claiming to show Chinese mercenaries fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
In the unverified clip, allegedly shot in Selydove near Pokrovsk, East Asian troops graffiti the inside walls of a damaged house with what looks like Chinese characters.
The soldiers have equipment and clothing consistent with what regular Russian troops have been seen wearing in recent months.
A patch on one soldier’s right shoulder reads BARS, the acronym for Russia’s army reserve.
BARS has become a network of irregular units since the February 2022 invasion.
Captain Li shot to fame as a “ soldier”, gaining an impressive 290,000 followers on Douyin, China's version of .
In his videos the self-proclaimed soldier claims to be fighting alongside Russians on the in Ukraine.
Captain Li tell convincing tales from the battlefield – complete with harrowing near-death experiences.
Li is thought to have died in combat after his death was widely circulated on TikTok.
But Captain Li is not the only social media sensation who has allegedly fought on behalf of Russia.
LeMonde identified around 40 accounts belonging to Chinese individuals who claim to have signed up with the Russian forces.
Prominent accounts include Wolf Blood Dragon Soul, Li Dafu and Pan Lin.
And these soldiers are not thought to be the first or the last to join forces with the Russians.
A well-known war correspondent Lu Yuguang has claimed that Zhao Rui was the first Chinese soldier to be killed on the Russian-Ukrainian battlefield.
According to Yuguang killed while participating in the battle on the Novopovka front in Zaporizhia Oblast on November 29.
Rui reportedly flew from Chengdu to on a tourist visa before signing up to fight at a conscription station in Moscow.
After passing a physical examination Rui received 15 days of military training at the Pioneer Training Camp outside Moscow.
From there he was assigned to the 58th Army of the Southern Military District of Russia.
Rui is thought to have travelled with Xiaoqiang, also from China.
Other Chinese soldiers have reportedly survived the battleground.
Chinese mercenary and former truck driver known under the war name “Fen” has returned to China after a stint on the front line.
The 37-year-old returned after falling victim to a suicide drone attack, leaving him hospitalised.
He said he joined the war effort in July 2023 but did not say what motivated his decision.
And Fen wouldn't be the only one to throw in the towel.
A video posted on showed the reality of life on the for the Chinese soldiers.
One unhappy soldier can be heard saying: “I want to quit.”
“I am begging all netizens now. Contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.”
“There is no medical treatment here. I am going to die here.”
The caption reads: “Chinese volunteers for Russia learns the Ukrainian war wasn't what the Chinese media portrayed it to be.”
If these Chinese troops are found to be serving members of the Chinese national army, it could result in a major war escalation.
However, soldiers from various countries have so far taken part in the Russia-Ukraine war – and it does not mean an official intervention by their home countries.
Thousands of troops from also joined the war to support against Ukraine.
Ukraine captured back in January.
It is unknown why the Chinese soldiers are joining the Russians – but it is thought they may want to make some cash.
But regardless Zelensky said that China's involvement in the war is a “clear signal” that Putin wants to drag the war and urged the West to act.
The president added: “Russia’s involvement, directly or indirectly, of China in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin is going to do anything but end the war.
“He is looking for a way to continue the war. This definitely requires a reaction. A reaction from the United States, Europe, and everyone in the world who wants peace.”
