 "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets personnel from the 17th Separate Motorized Infantry Battalion of the 57th Brigade in the Vovchansk region and delivers military honours on Monday, August 4, 2025. (Photo: X/Volodymyr Zelenskyy)")
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Ukrainian troops in northeastern Ukraine were fighting foreign “mercenaries” from various countries including China, Pakistan and parts of Africa, and vowed a response.
Zelenskyy has previously accused Moscow of recruiting Chinese fighters for its war effort against Ukraine, charges Beijing denied, while North Korea has also provided thousands of its own troops in Russia’s Kursk region.
“We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defence of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles,” Zelenskyy wrote on X after visiting a frontline area in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
“Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond.”
Reuters contacted the embassies of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan in Kyiv to request comment.
Russia did not immediately comment publicly on Zelenskyy’s comments.
(This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)