A s president xi jinping stood shoulder to shoulder with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, watching Russian and Chinese soldiers marching across Red Square on May 9th, they could have been mistaken for equals.

The Chinese leader begins a long four-day visit to Russia this week to "further strengthen their close relationship," according to a Beijing spokesperson. The Chinese army's Honor Guard paraded through the streets of Moscow on Sunday night.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia soon. This visit occurs amidst reports of Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine, mostly for Russia. Some fighters are returning with harrowing experiences.