By DAVID AVERRE

Published: 21:00 BST, 15 April 2025 | Updated: 21:00 BST, 15 April 2025

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Chinese recruits who fought for Russia in Ukraine have said they 'made a mistake' and had no idea they would be sent to tear through Ukrainian villages, blaming Russian propaganda for tricking them into signing up. Others claim they were attracted by promises of a high salary and quick release contracts, only to discover once they got to the front that their commanders treated them as 'less than human'.

Chinese recruits who fought for Russia in Ukraine have said they ‘made a mistake’ and had no idea they would be sent to tear through Ukrainian villages, blaming Russian propaganda for tricking them into signing up. Others claim they were attracted by promises of a high salary and quick release contracts, only to discover once they got to the front that their commanders treated them as ‘less than human’.

The presence of Chinese fighters in Russian frontline units was officially confirmed earlier this month when two Chinese nationals, Wang Guangjun (pictured right) and Zhang Renbo (pictured left), were captured and paraded before Ukrainian media. In interviews with Ukrainian army officials, both appeared bewildered and almost relieved, as though they were thankful to their captors for liberating them from their Russian commanders. In a press conference yesterday in Kyiv, Wang claimed Russian propaganda videos on the Chinese version of TikTok had encouraged him to sign up for military service after he lost his job.

The presence of Chinese fighters in Russian frontline units was officially confirmed earlier this month when two Chinese nationals, Wang Guangjun (pictured right) and Zhang Renbo (pictured left), were captured and paraded before Ukrainian media. In interviews with Ukrainian army officials, both appeared bewildered and almost relieved, as though they were thankful to their captors for liberating them from their Russian commanders. In a press conference yesterday in Kyiv, Wang claimed Russian propaganda videos on the Chinese version of TikTok had encouraged him to sign up for military service after he lost his job.

The 33-year-old said: 'To my compatriots who want to join the Ukraine war, I want to say: don't take part in this war... I want to apologise to my parents. My only wish is to follow all the instructions that will help me return home.' Zhang meanwhile said he 'knew nothing about Ukraine' before the war and that he did not want to be exchanged back to Russia. 'When you really participate in the war, when the moment of the fighting comes, you will find that everything is a lie,' he said solemnly.

The 33-year-old said: ‘To my compatriots who want to join the Ukraine war, I want to say: don’t take part in this war… I want to apologise to my parents. My only wish is to follow all the instructions that will help me return home.’ Zhang meanwhile said he ‘knew nothing about Ukraine’ before the war and that he did not want to be exchanged back to Russia. ‘When you really participate in the war, when the moment of the fighting comes, you will find that everything is a lie,’ he said solemnly.

The experience of Chinese soldiers in Ukraine was exposed in great detail by another recruit, nicknamed 'Red Macaron', who gave a lengthy interview to independent Chinese broadcaster Chai Jing that was shared on YouTube last month. Speaking via FaceTime from a trench in Bakhmut, in Ukraine's occupied Donetsk region, Macaron said that he realised he was likely going to die on the frontline and decided to 'share some real life experiences... and tell (the Chinese people) what war is like for an ordinary soldier.' 'I made the wrong choice joining this war... every inch of ground is taken with blood, there's nothing noble about it, nothing cool... or good. There's no humanity, no morality,' he told Chai.

The experience of Chinese soldiers in Ukraine was exposed in great detail by another recruit, nicknamed ‘Red Macaron’, who gave a lengthy interview to independent Chinese broadcaster Chai Jing that was shared on YouTube last month. Speaking via FaceTime from a trench in Bakhmut, in Ukraine’s occupied Donetsk region, Macaron said that he realised he was likely going to die on the frontline and decided to ‘share some real life experiences… and tell (the Chinese people) what war is like for an ordinary soldier.’ ‘I made the wrong choice joining this war… every inch of ground is taken with blood, there’s nothing noble about it, nothing cool… or good. There’s no humanity, no morality,’ he told Chai.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 8 issued a statement claiming at least 155 Chinese nationals were battling on the frontlines. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine had summoned the Chinese ambassador to demand an explanation. In a damning admission, he added that the presence of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia 'puts into question China's declared stance for peace'. Beijing swiftly hit back at the Ukrainian government statements, calling the claims 'totally unfounded'. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference it was 'absolutely groundless' to suggest many Chinese citizens were fighting in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 8 issued a statement claiming at least 155 Chinese nationals were battling on the frontlines. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine had summoned the Chinese ambassador to demand an explanation. In a damning admission, he added that the presence of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia ‘puts into question China’s declared stance for peace’. Beijing swiftly hit back at the Ukrainian government statements, calling the claims ‘totally unfounded’. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference it was ‘absolutely groundless’ to suggest many Chinese citizens were fighting in Ukraine.

'The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict (and) avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form,' he said. But in his interview with Chai Jing, Red Macaron said he thought there were 'at least a few hundred' Chinese fighters who had signed up to fight for the Kremlin. He also said Russian commanders would routinely abuse foreign mercenaries, particularly those who weren't white. 'The Russian commanding officers would openly insult Black soldiers. They'd say these really horrible, racist things about Black, Arab, and Chinese soldiers. 'One officer even said, 'Right now, it's wartime, the war is still going on. But once the war's over, how about we kill the lot of you? You won't be going home alive',' he claimed.

‘The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict (and) avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form,’ he said. But in his interview with Chai Jing, Red Macaron said he thought there were ‘at least a few hundred’ Chinese fighters who had signed up to fight for the Kremlin. He also said Russian commanders would routinely abuse foreign mercenaries, particularly those who weren’t white. ‘The Russian commanding officers would openly insult Black soldiers. They’d say these really horrible, racist things about Black, Arab, and Chinese soldiers. ‘One officer even said, ‘Right now, it’s wartime, the war is still going on. But once the war’s over, how about we kill the lot of you? You won’t be going home alive’,’ he claimed.

Macaron also told how he was given a decades-old gun and partially destroyed, broken equipment before being sent into battle. He later procured rusted body armour from a fallen comrade, but his commanding officer allegedly took it from him and refused to give it back. When he complained, he was thrown into a 'punishment pit' - kept in a tiny space behind bars and only allowed out once per day to use a toilet. 'After the first time I was released from the pit, my will to fight was gone. Why would I want to fight for someone who throws me in a dungeon, someone who treats me like that? I felt like they had no respect for me at all,' he said.

Macaron also told how he was given a decades-old gun and partially destroyed, broken equipment before being sent into battle. He later procured rusted body armour from a fallen comrade, but his commanding officer allegedly took it from him and refused to give it back. When he complained, he was thrown into a ‘punishment pit’ – kept in a tiny space behind bars and only allowed out once per day to use a toilet. ‘After the first time I was released from the pit, my will to fight was gone. Why would I want to fight for someone who throws me in a dungeon, someone who treats me like that? I felt like they had no respect for me at all,’ he said.

NATO members have branded China a 'decisive enabler' of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Beijing continues to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict but has never openly condemned Putin's move. Philip Ingram MBE, retired British Army colonel and military intelligence specialist, told MailOnline: 'I am not surprised Chinese nationals have been captured. 'Whilst China won't be formally providing troops to Russia they won't discourage individuals wanting to join. They will probably be sending liaison staff and special forces to gain combat experience but in as deniable a way as possible.'

NATO members have branded China a ‘decisive enabler’ of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Beijing continues to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict but has never openly condemned Putin’s move. Philip Ingram MBE, retired British Army colonel and military intelligence specialist, told MailOnline: ‘I am not surprised Chinese nationals have been captured. ‘Whilst China won’t be formally providing troops to Russia they won’t discourage individuals wanting to join. They will probably be sending liaison staff and special forces to gain combat experience but in as deniable a way as possible.’

Though Zelensky officially recognised the presence of Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine earlier this month, there have been reports suggesting they arrived in Russia months ago. Radio Free Europe quoted one Chinese national in February who 'confirmed to us that he had been fighting in Russia but had already returned home', correspondent Mark Krutov said. While foreign volunteers have participated on both sides of the conflict, Russia has been accused of leveraging extensive propaganda campaigns and paid advertisements on social media to attract foreign recruits.

Though Zelensky officially recognised the presence of Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine earlier this month, there have been reports suggesting they arrived in Russia months ago. Radio Free Europe quoted one Chinese national in February who ‘confirmed to us that he had been fighting in Russia but had already returned home’, correspondent Mark Krutov said. While foreign volunteers have participated on both sides of the conflict, Russia has been accused of leveraging extensive propaganda campaigns and paid advertisements on social media to attract foreign recruits.

Red Macaron sought to discourage war fever in his home nation and told Chinese citizens considering a future in Russia's army to stay at home. 'I hope China can maintain a sensible stance and avoid rashly starting or getting drawn into a war. A lot of people watch these exaggerated patriotic dramas that glorify war like Wolf Warrior and Drawing Sword and they get all fired up. But the reality of battle is incredibly brutal. It's literally hell on earth. Why should I be cannon fodder in someone else's war? Before I came, I didn't know that's how they'd treat me.'

Red Macaron sought to discourage war fever in his home nation and told Chinese citizens considering a future in Russia’s army to stay at home. ‘I hope China can maintain a sensible stance and avoid rashly starting or getting drawn into a war. A lot of people watch these exaggerated patriotic dramas that glorify war like Wolf Warrior and Drawing Sword and they get all fired up. But the reality of battle is incredibly brutal. It’s literally hell on earth. Why should I be cannon fodder in someone else’s war? Before I came, I didn’t know that’s how they’d treat me.’

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