Another Chinese fighter captured by Ukrainian forces: What we know (video)

Chinese national Wang Wu, who ended up as a prisoner of war in Ukraine, was born on August 25, 2000. He served in the 102nd regiment of the 150th division and used the call sign Sablya (Sabre).

It is reported that, like most Russian mercenaries, he was promised a job in the rear. However, after basic training, he and others seen in the video were immediately deployed to the front line near Toretsk.

He stated that he regrets signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and hopes to return home and see his family again.

"I understand that we were deceived... I believe signing that contract was a shameful choice... I’m sure it’s important for other Chinese people to know they are being deceived," the captured fighter said.

The I Want to Live project emphasized that when they warn foreigners that Russians treat them as expendable, it’s not just rhetoric.

"For Russians, people of any other nationality are second-class citizens. If they don’t spare their own, why would they make an exception for Asians or Africans?" the project noted.

They also called on governments of all countries whose citizens are being recruited by Russia to fight in the war, as well as the global community, to do everything possible to end this criminal practice.

"The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges all foreigners to avoid joining the ranks of the Russian occupation army by any means. If sent to the front, they should reach out to the I Want to Live project," the organization added.

Chinese nationals captured by Ukrainian forces

Wang Wu is not the first Chinese citizen to be taken prisoner by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Back in April, two Chinese nationals fighting for the Russian army were captured in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. At a later press conference, Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo spoke about the realities of serving in the Russian military and the treatment of foreign mercenaries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later clarified that Ukraine is aware of over 150 Chinese nationals currently participating in the war on Russia’s side.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) interrogated the captured Chinese citizens and identified them by name.

During the interrogations, the prisoners also described how and with what weapons they fought against Ukraine while serving in the Russian army, and spoke about how they’ve been treated while in Ukrainian captivity.

POW press conference

On April 14, during a press conference in Kyiv, the captured Chinese fighters stated that they did not want to take part in combat against Ukraine. However, they said the Russians forcibly sent them to the front lines.

One of the prisoners also noted that China continues to carry out strong propaganda about the success of Russia in the war with Ukraine. This, he warned, could motivate more foreigners to join the war.

Another prisoner claimed he nearly died from exposure to chemical weapons used by Russian forces on the battlefield.