A Chinese citizen captured by Ukrainian soldiers during fighting near Bilohorivka (Donetsk region) says he joined the Russian army through an intermediary in China, paying 300,000 rubles (around $2,200) for the opportunity.
As reported by Ukrainska Pravda, citing the communications department of Ukraine’s operational-tactical group “Luhansk,” soldiers from the 81st Separate Mechanized Brigade captured three servicemembers fighting for Moscow near Bilohorivka – one of whom was a Chinese citizen.
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The Chinese national was detained during combat after a Russian assault group, under heavy fire from Ukrainian troops and drone operators, decided to surrender.
According to the prisoner of war (POW), he had joined the Russian army through a recruiter in China, paying 300,000 rubles to enlist in the Russian Armed Forces.
He underwent training in the temporarily occupied territory of the Luhansk region as part of a unit formed from Chinese citizens. The training involved basic military skills but was conducted without an interpreter, relying instead on gestures and a cell phone translator.
The man said his main motivation was to become a professional soldier and obtain Russian citizenship. He also claimed that some members of the Chinese group had previous problems with the law in China.
Due to the language barrier, he said he struggled to fully understand the situation during assault operations. After his group suffered losses in battle and was unable to continue resisting, they surrendered.
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The POW’s identity and citizenship have been confirmed, and he is currently cooperating with Ukrainian investigators. According to him, his family was aware of his plans to travel to Russia, although he officially left China as a tourist.
Ukraine’s military emphasized that it strictly adheres to the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
On Wednesday, China urged its citizens to stay away from conflict zones after Ukraine said it had captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Donetsk.
China’s foreign ministry said it was verifying the information but said it had always advised citizens to avoid armed conflicts. The Kremlin declined to comment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video via Telegram on April 8 of one alleged Chinese POW in military gear speaking Mandarin and English during questioning.
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP the two were captured “a few days ago” and suggested there could be more. According to the source, the prisoners were likely Chinese nationals who had been lured into individually signing contracts directly with the Russian Federation’s Armed Forces, rather than being sent by officials in Beijing.
During a press conference in Kyiv on April 8, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese citizens near Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in the Donetsk region. According to Zelensky, Ukrainian troops engaged a group of six Chinese fighters, capturing two of them and seizing their documents and bank cards.
Zelensky said the incident proves another foreign power – after Iran and North Korea – is supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. He called for an urgent discussion with international partners and urged China to explain its citizens’ presence on the battlefield.
Ukraine’s 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade carried out the operation, confirming the captured Chinese were armed and serving in a Russian military unit. Following the incident, Ukraine summoned a Chinese diplomat for clarification.
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