Chinese soldiers 'discovered' in Ukraine? What is behind the viral video that triggered a violent debate on the Internet?

A viral video moves a storm on social media and ignites debates about a possible Chinese military presence in Russia in the middle of the continuing war in Ukraine.

Since March 2, the film material has been circulated on platforms such as X and Bluesky, whereby speculation causes Chinese soldiers in Russian military units.

The Ukrainian commentator and former consultant of the Interior Minister of Ukraine, Anton Gerashchenko, announced the clip and noted that he allegedly shows Chinese people in Russian military uniforms – one with the badge of the bars unit.

The video that was supposedly shot near Selydove, a city in Pokrovsk Raion, does not remain checked and leaves important questions about his authenticity and timing.

In the meantime, Russia continues its relentless attack on Pokrovsk, a strategically important logistics center for the Ukrainian armed forces in the Donetsk region of East Ukraine.

At the beginning of this month, the Russian Ministry of Defense took control of two further settlements – Kudnoye and Burlatskoye – in the Ukrainian Donetsk region. According to the ministry, the Russian armed forces in the Ukrainian areas were aimed at in the Donbas and confiscated several important positions in the middle of ongoing offensive.

A video appeared online, in which Chinese reported a Russian military uniform. One of them has a marking of a Russian military unit.

It is reported that the video in the Pokrovsk region, Donetsk, was shot.

The video was not verified, it is … pic.twitter.com/pbzwnfp0us

– Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) March 2, 2025

What is in the video?

The viral film material records two soldiers in an abandoned building, with one casual on Chinese on the wall: “Li Jingjing was here.” When they exchange words, you murmur in Chinese: “Ah, I wrote it again.”

In particular, a soldier has a bracelet from the Russia's bars (Combat Army Reserve). Another wall in the background bears the inscription “-Wèi precision installation”.

The video, which has been shared by several reports on X-a single, the influential Chinese Handels @Whyyoutouzhele, pro-Ukrainian Oriannalyla @Lyla_lilas and Uavoyager @nafovoyager-has that it was allegedly showing that it showed Chinese troops in the direction.

The clip originally appeared on the “Donbas Operative” telegram channel, although its authenticity and context do not remain checked.

Chinese peace troops in Ukraine?

The timing of this controversy adds another layer.

The conversations about Chinese peace troops in Ukraine only dipped their first direct dialogue about the termination of the war a few days after Washington and Moscow.

Zhou Bo, a former Chinese military officer, suggested that China, if they are considered, would be the most profitable option for the use of troops. He argued that European forces were unrealistic, since Russia would see them as “only a different form of presence of NATO”.

However, if the Chinese staff is actually active in Russian military units, this could significantly damage Ukraine's trust in Beijing. Any confirmed military participation would make China's sensitive balancing law difficult between the support of Russia and at the same time maintain diplomatic relationships with Kyiv.

China's support for Russia

From now on there is no confirmed evidence that Chinese soldiers are used directly in Russia. Instead, China's participation remains largely indirect and focuses on diplomatic support, economic support and military cooperation.

In the middle of the continuing Russia Ukraine War, China has maintained a partnership with Russia with “No Limits”, which led to significant political, economic and military cooperation.

While Beijing Russia did not provide direct military help for war in Ukraine, it has delivered two use technologies, as was drone components, optics and semiconductor-that strengthen the defense industry in Russia. These technologies have helped moscow to alleviate the effects of western sanctions and maintain its war efforts.

Military cooperation and training

Although Chinese troops are not officially fighting in Ukraine, China and Russia have increased military interactions. According to reports, China and Russia have carried out joint military exercises, including drills by the navy and Air Force, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. These include maritime patrols near Japan and trilateral naval exercises with Iran in the Gulf of Oman.

In addition, China has expanded the military exchange with Russia, which may include personnel training. However, such engagements were not associated with the direct participation of Chinese participation in the Ukraine conflict.

Economic and diplomatic support

China is still the largest trading partner in Russia and buys reduced Russian oil and gas and offers Moscow the urgently needed financial support. In return, Russia has increased its dependence on Chinese technologies and industrial products. This trade relationship has contributed to bypassing western sanctions and maintaining their war economy.

China diplomatically maintained a neutral attitude and demands peace negotiations and at the same time supports the position of Russia in a subtle way. Beijing criticized Western sanctions and the role of NATO in conflict, but no longer supported the actions of Russia

Speculation or reality?

However, there is no confirmed evidence that Chinese troops are used in Russia. China's role in the conflict is still a close examination, especially from the USA and NATO, as support – although indirect – to strengthen Russia's war efforts without exceeding the threshold of direct military intervention.

• Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before she came to the Eurasian Times, she worked for et Prime. It has more than 15 years of experience in the media industry and tensioned printing, electronics and online areas.
• Contact the author at Shubhapalve (at) gmail.com