Two Chinese nationals captured by Ukrainian forces for fighting alongside Russian troops have publicly claimed they were deceived into joining the war, citing false promises seen on social media. The incident has sparked renewed international scrutiny over the extent of foreign involvement in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, especially amid President Volodymyr Zelensky’s assertion that hundreds of Chinese citizens are fighting on Russia’s side.
At a press conference organized by Ukraine’s Security Service, the two men — 34-year-old Wang Guangjung and 27-year-old Zhang Renbo — appeared in front of reporters to recount how they ended up in a war they now say they regret joining.
Wang said his journey into the war began with a TikTok ad. “I was just scrolling when I saw an offer to join the Russian army,” he said. Having recently lost his job, he was drawn to what was advertised as a well-paying opportunity — 200,000 to 250,000 rubles (roughly $2,000 to $3,000 USD per month). That amount exceeds the average monthly income in China, making the offer enticing.
However, reality didn’t match the pitch. According to Wang, once he arrived in Russia, his bank card and phone were taken by Russian officers. He claims he never received any of the promised money. “Everything we heard from the Russians was a lie,” he said.
Zhang’s story followed a similar pattern, though he initially arrived in Russia seeking construction work in December 2024. “I didn’t come to fight,” he said. But eventually, Zhang was persuaded — or pressured — into enlisting. He says he ended up on the frontlines without fully understanding the risks or the cause.
Both men emphasized that their actions were of their own volition and not connected to any directives from the Chinese government. They also issued a warning to fellow Chinese nationals tempted by Russia’s recruitment efforts.
“For those who want to take part in the war, we want to say — don’t,” Wang said, urging others to learn from their mistake. “The real war is nothing like what you see in movies or on TV.”
Still, given their status as prisoners of war (POWs), questions remain about the sincerity and freedom of their statements. Even so, their accounts provide rare insight into how foreign nationals — particularly from countries officially neutral in the conflict — are being drawn into Russia’s war machine.
Their capture has triggered broader concern. Speaking shortly after their arrest, President Zelensky said this was part of a larger pattern. He claimed Ukrainian intelligence has documented 155 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, but he believes the real number is “several hundred.”
“These are not isolated cases,” Zelensky said. “There are systematic Russian efforts — including within China’s territory — to recruit citizens for war.”
According to Zelensky, the recruitment is being driven primarily through online channels and social media platforms, including TikTok and Telegram. Ukrainian officials are still trying to determine if there’s any involvement from the Chinese state.
China has dismissed the allegations. At a press conference in Beijing, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called Zelensky’s comments “groundless” and reiterated that China maintains a neutral stance in the war.
“China is not a party to the Ukrainian crisis,” Lin said. “We oppose any action that escalates conflict and urge Chinese citizens to avoid participating in any military activity abroad.”
However, while Beijing has denied any official involvement, it has not disputed the presence of Chinese nationals in the war. Officials have suggested that any such individuals acted independently, without state approval.
Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals is not new, but recent revelations have highlighted how widespread and informal the practice has become.
Unlike Ukraine’s International Legion — a formal and transparent structure welcoming foreign volunteers — Russia’s approach has often involved coercion, misinformation, and false job offers.
Zhang and Wang reported seeing other foreign fighters in their Russian units, including people from Ghana, Iraq, and Central Asia. Many reportedly had little or no combat training and were placed on the frontlines with minimal preparation.
“Russia made itself sound powerful. Ukraine seemed weak,” Wang said. “But it was the opposite. That’s why we were captured so easily.”
While the presence of Chinese nationals in the Russian army is new, fighters from other countries have been documented for months. Among the most significant contributors is North Korea, which reportedly sent 12,000 troops to support Russia in late 2024. An additional 3,000 soldiers followed earlier this year.
Ukraine has also confirmed the capture of North Korean personnel assisting in logistics and combat operations along the Russian border.
In South Asia, Russia has drawn thousands of recruits from Nepal, with the Nepali government confirming that at least 14 of its citizens have died in the war. Reports suggest as many as 15,000 Nepalis have been enlisted — often through deceptive job advertisements. Under pressure, Russia recently agreed to halt Nepali recruitment and terminate existing contracts.
India, too, has demanded that Russia stop recruiting its citizens. Several families have reported that their relatives were promised jobs as security guards, only to end up in military uniforms. In March 2025, India officially requested the safe return of its nationals from the conflict zone.
In Latin America, Cuban nationals have also found themselves in Russian trenches. Last year, Cuba uncovered a human trafficking network sending citizens to the warfront. Multiple arrests were made in Havana.
The broader implications of these revelations are significant.
For China, even limited involvement of its citizens could complicate its diplomatic balancing act. On one hand, it has cultivated a strong strategic partnership with Russia, especially in energy and defense. On the other hand, it continues to present itself on the global stage as a neutral power committed to peace and stability.
If credible evidence emerges that China is aware of or facilitating recruitment efforts, it could face fresh sanctions or damage to its reputation — particularly in Europe and North America.
There’s also the human dimension. Families in countries like India, Nepal, and now potentially China, are grappling with the fallout of loved ones being caught in a brutal foreign conflict. Most of these recruits are from economically vulnerable backgrounds, and their motivations — desperation, misinformation, or coercion — highlight how global poverty intersects with modern warfare.
Russia’s strategy of outsourcing warfighting to foreign nationals is rooted in both necessity and design. With heavy losses and a growing recruitment crisis at home, Moscow has increasingly relied on external sources of manpower.
Private military companies (PMCs) like Wagner have played a key role. Though officially disbanded after the death of its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner’s networks continue to operate under new names, pulling in fighters from Africa, the Middle East, and post-Soviet states.
In many cases, these fighters are lured with promises of payment, citizenship, or escape from dire living conditions — only to find themselves cannon fodder on the front lines.
The stories of Wang and Zhang are cautionary. They are not soldiers of fortune or ideologues. They’re men who thought they found a lifeline — a paycheck, a fresh start, a sense of purpose — and instead ended up trapped in a war they barely understood.
Wang, who said he was captured after just three days at the front, expressed regret. “I only wish to go back home and apologize to my parents,” he said.
Their message was clear: don’t follow in our footsteps.
Whether this warning reaches its intended audience — and whether others around the world will listen — remains to be seen.
The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year, is no longer a conflict contained to Eastern Europe. Through formal alliances, informal networks, and murky recruitment tactics, it has drawn in a growing web of individuals from far beyond its borders.
The presence of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, however limited, adds a volatile new layer to the geopolitical puzzle. And as the war drags on, more stories like those of Wang and Zhang may come to light — each a reminder of how easily ordinary people can get pulled into someone else’s war.
