Chinese nationals fighting for Russia captured in Ukraine

Two Chinese nationals have been captured by Ukrainian forces in the east of the country. They appeared at a press conference in Kyiv on April 14, where they said they wanted to be exchanged and urged their fellow citizens not to follow their example.

"I hope China can trade me with Russia and Ukraine and take me back to China," said one of the captives, Zhang Renbo, aged 26.

The other, identified as 33-year-old Wang Guangjun, called on his "compatriots who want to take part in the war in Ukraine" not to do so.

He also explained that he had joined the ranks of the Russian army after seeing "recruitment ads on certain Chinese apps". Both men denied any connection with the Chinese government.

It is impossible to know whether the two fighters spoke of their own free will: handcuffed, they spoke to journalists alongside armed and masked Ukrainian soldiers.

Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Kiev had arrested the two Chinese citizens on April 8. According to the Ukrainian president, "several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting with the Russian occupation forces". He also called on the international community to mobilize on this issue.

Mr. Zelensky also accused China of knowing about the recruitment of its citizens by the Russian army. Beijing subsequently described these allegations as "irresponsible", and denied any involvement in the recruitment of the two Chinese fighters.

"We urge the parties concerned to have a fair view of China's objective and impartial position and to refrain from political manipulation and media hype [...] Chinese authorities are verifying the information and circumstances around these two nationals," said Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.s are in the process of verifying the information and circumstances surrounding these two nationals", said Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on April 15.

"We have issued security alerts on numerous occasions, asking Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones [...] and in particular to avoid participating in military operations by any party," he added.

China frequently advocates peace talks and respect for the territorial integrity of all states. Yet the country has never condemned Russia, and has strengthened its commercial, diplomatic and military relations with Moscow since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.