Chinese nationals claim Russia lured them into Ukraine conflict
Two captured Chinese nationals in Ukraine stated that they were drawn into the conflict by Russia. They admitted to signing contracts in Russia, while insisting they had no connection with the Chinese government.
What do you need to know?
- Two Chinese citizens were captured at the beginning of April in the Donetsk region in Ukraine. They admitted they ended up in the war after signing contracts in Russia, having no connection with the Chinese government.
- One of the prisoners wanted to work as a medic but was drawn into the conflict. He lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic and was seeking a new source of livelihood.
- President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky reported at least 155 Chinese soldiers fighting on the side of Russia. Authorities in Beijing are aware of the recruitment of Chinese citizens by Moscow.
How did the Chinese nationals end up in the war?
Two Chinese nationals captured in Ukraine admitted at a press conference in Kyiv that they were drawn into the conflict by Russia. They signed contracts to participate in the war without contacting Chinese authorities. One of the prisoners wanted to work as a medic but was drawn into the conflict by intermediaries offering contracts for service in the Russian army.
He added that he lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading him to seek a new source of livelihood. He emphasized that military service is highly respected in Chinese society.
They didn't know they would end up on the front lines
- The government (in Beijing) warned that Chinese citizens are advised against traveling to places where clashes are occurring... I wanted to become a medic. I got injured and surrendered - announced one of the Chinese prisoners.
The second prisoner, from a fairly wealthy family, recounted that he went to Russia for tourism purposes. - I did not expect to find myself in the war. I knew almost nothing about Ukraine - said the Chinese national.
Did the Chinese government know about the recruitment?
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Ukrainian intelligence has information about at least 155 Chinese soldiers fighting on the side of Russia.
Authorities in Beijing are aware of the recruitment of Chinese citizens by Moscow. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Lin Jian, described these reports as "irresponsible".
