While China has long been accused of enabling Russia to continue its fighting in Ukraine, President Zelensky announced in early April 2025 that Chinese nationals had been captured in his country amid intense fighting in Donetsk (Moscow Times, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Council on Foreign Relations). The PLA is the unified military land, sea, and air forces of the People's Republic of China (Britannica - PLA). For the purposes of this question, "combat operations" means conducting offensive or defensive actions against the forces of Ukraine or any forces defending Ukraine by land, sea, or air. The public accusation must occur during the question's open period to count, but the accusation as to Chinese forces engaging in combat operations may include any time since 24 February 2022. The mere provisioning of weapons and ammunition alone will not count. An accusation that Chinese troops are serving under Russian command will count (e.g., CNN), but the mere accusation that Chinese nationals or members of the PLA are fighting without command authorization will not count. The location of the combat operations is immaterial so long as they are against the forces of Ukraine or any forces defending Ukraine by land, sea, or air. An accusation of a cyberattack alone will not count.

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NOTE 16 April 2025: A statement must be made on behalf of the United States by someone who is officially authorized to speak on behalf of the United States to count.