'Didn’t want to go to the front': Captured Chinese nationals reveal how Russia used them
Photo: Chinese citizens captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Chinese citizens captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces claim they did not want to take part in the fighting against Ukraine. However, the Russian forces forcibly sent them to the front line, the Chinese nationals stated this during a press conference.
Both Chinese nationals admitted they had signed contracts with the Russian army despite having no combat experience. According to one of them, he had hoped to work in “medical rehabilitation,” but upon arriving in Russia, he was immediately sent to the front line. Meanwhile, the other Chinese citizen claimed he did not want to go to the front but was forced to.
“I had a regular job in China, a family — wife, parents. But after I lost my job during COVID, I decided to find some side work,” said Wang Guangjun.
In turn, Zhang Renbo noted that his family was considered well-off by Chinese standards.
“We had no problems, we had more than enough money. I initially went to Russia to travel, and then decided to earn some money. But I didn’t expect to end up in a war,” he added.
Their commander was a Russian who gave orders without a translator, using gestures to communicate. This was despite the fact that one of them served in a unit with 10 Chinese nationals, and the other in a unit with two.
The Chinese men said they were used for hard labor. They didn’t get the chance to take part in direct combat — one was wounded, and the other surrendered. Both now hope to be exchanged.
Typically, Chinese citizens use intermediaries, mostly foreigners, to join the Russian army.
Chinese nationals captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces
On April 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting on the side of Russia.
Later, the head of state clarified that Ukraine is aware of more than 150 Chinese nationals participating in the war on Russia's side.
At the same time, Reuters reported that these Chinese citizens are fighting as mercenaries and have no connection to the government of the People's Republic of China.
