Reuters: Chinese Fighters on Russia's Side in Ukraine are Mercenaries.

Chinese officers received permission from Beijing and were in the rear of the Russians to study war tactics. According to 'Glavkom' referencing Reuters, American officials claim that Chinese officers visited areas near the front line with 'absolute approval' from the PRC. On the side of the Russians, there are fears of about 200 Chinese mercenaries who, according to sources, have no direct connection to the Chinese government and have minimal training that does not affect the course of hostilities. Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of American forces in the Indo-Pacific region, confirmed that Ukrainian troops captured two citizens of the PRC in eastern Ukraine following a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the presence of 155 Chinese on the side of Russia. In April, Zelensky published a video of one of the two Chinese citizens captured by Ukrainian military, which may indicate the PRC's involvement in the war against Ukraine. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is verifying information about the capture of PRC citizens by Ukrainian soldiers, but notes that China urges its citizens to avoid conflict zones and not to participate in them. Beijing claims that Kyiv's statements about the increasing number of Chinese participating in the war are unfounded.