Captured Chinese fighters in Ukraine speak out as Beijing dismisses 'political manipulation'

Two Chinese nationals captured on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war have publicly disavowed their participation in the conflict, recounting their experience under Russian command and urging fellow citizens not to enlist. Their statements come days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of using Chinese citizens in its war effort — the first such official claim from Kyiv.

Speaking at a press conference held in Ukraine on Monday (April 14), the two men — Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo — offered different personal histories but shared a sense of disillusionment with Russia and regret over their involvement.

Wang, who was captured after only three days on the front line, claimed he had been exposed to a Russian chemical agent shortly after being taken prisoner. “I was losing my strength and fainting… Then I felt someone grabbing my collar and pulling me out into the fresh air,” he said, according to The Kyiv Independent*

His fellow captive, Zhang, described a circuitous path to the battlefield. A former firefighter from a wealthy family, he said he had initially come to Russia in December seeking employment. “I wanted to make money, but I did not expect to end up in the war.”

Both men confirmed that they were under the command of Russian officers, who communicated with them using gestures due to the language barrier. Wang added that the control at the training ground was very tight, making it nearly impossible to leave once enlisted.

Neither Wang nor Zhang claimed to have engaged Ukrainian forces directly. Wang said he didn’t kill any Ukrainian soldiers, while Zhang remarked that he hadn’t even seen Ukrainian troops until the moment of his capture.

Their testimony lends weight to President Zelenskyy’s claim last week that at least 155 Chinese citizens were fighting on Russia’s side. Kyiv made the assertion after capturing the two men— the first public evidence suggesting that Chinese nationals may be taking part in the war.

The development has sparked a diplomatic reaction from Beijing. On Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry rejected the claims as “manipulation and hype”, urging parties to avoid politicising the matter.

“China is verifying the relevant information and circumstances,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, before calling on “relevant parties to accurately understand China’s objective and impartial stance, and to refrain from political manipulation and hype.”

The comments from the Chinese captives were unambiguous in their condemnation of the Kremlin’s role. “To my compatriots who want to join the Ukraine war, I want to say: don’t take part in this war,” said Wang. “When you really participate in the war, when the moment of the fighting comes, you will find that everything is a lie.”

While China has consistently maintained a neutral stance in the conflict, its growing ties with Russia have drawn increasing scrutiny from Western governments. The presence of Chinese nationals on the battlefield — even in unofficial capacities — may complicate Beijing’s efforts to portray itself as an impartial actor in the war.