Two Chinese soldiers fighting for Moscow captured by Kyiv have shared their harrowing experiences as hired guns for Russia, exposing the impact of Russian narratives on the Chinese population. The revelations come amid historic close ties between Beijing and Moscow.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the capture of the two soldiers on April 8, citing over 150 Chinese nationals serving in the Russian Armed Forces. Beijing dismissed these claims as “irresponsible remarks.”
At a press conference hosted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo recounted their journey to Russia and the maltreatment they endured while serving under the Russian military.
Wang, who was recruited via a TikTok ad, described dire battlefield conditions in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. He said he lived in a camp with poor sanitation and only received minimal food. “There was an instance when we were working until 4 a.m. or 5 a.m., and only then were we given ‘a pinch of raw rice’ as food,” he said.
Zhang, who initially planned to join the Russian military after traveling to Russia as a tourist, expressed regret over his decision. “There’s no use in saying much. Another thing – answering [another question on] what I want to tell my parents – because… my parents might see me on television, because they didn’t know that I joined the war in Russia. I want to tell them that I am alive.”
The two soldiers also spoke about China’s perceptions of Ukraine and the impact of Russian propaganda on the Chinese population. Wang criticized Moscow’s narratives, stating, “All Russia fed us are lies. They’re fake. Russia isn’t as strong as they claim, and Ukraine isn’t as backward as they say.”
Their experiences serve as a stark contrast to the romanticized images of war often depicted in Chinese media. The revelations highlight the human cost of conflict and underscore the need for accurate information.
Source: https://www.kyivpost.com/post/50768