More than one hundred Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military against Ukraine are mercenaries who do not appear to have a direct link to China's government, two U.S. officials familiar with American intelligence and a former Western intelligence official said.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that Ukrainian intelligence had identified 155 Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian forces, a day after Ukraine said two Chinese nationals were captured in the country.

China has pushed back against claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that at least 155 Chinese citizens are fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Read also: Kremlin denies claims Russia is dragging China into war against Ukraine “We advise the relevant parties to accurately understand China’s position and avoid making irresponsible remarks,