Both men also stated that they had no connection to the Chinese state authorities, nor had they served in the army
The two Chinese soldiers captured by Ukraine revealed, at a press conference, that they were enticed to joining the Russian army through social networks, namely Tiktok.
“In some Chinese platforms, such as Kualou or Tiktok, there are certain bloggers that promote similar promotional materials,” said Wang Guangjun, one of the soldiers, this Monday ,. “In China, it is prestigious to be a soldier, but not everyone can be soldered. So people try to participate in hostilities in other places,” he added.
Both men said they had no connection to the Chinese state authorities, nor had they served in the Army.
Wang said he lost his job during the pandemic and was looking for “a new option.” Initially, he says he negotiated with a Russian recruiter to participate in the rehabilitation of injured soldiers, but later “entered the army and had no choice.”
Wang Guangjun says he arrived in Moscow on February 5, held five days of training and was then readed to Rostov, having arrived at the end of combat in early April.
Similar route had Zhang Renbo, the other Chinese combatant. After revealing that he worked as a firefighter and came from a wealthy family, Zhang detailed his route: he arrived in Moscow on December 20, was sent to Rostov and then to the front line in Donetsk, where he spent a month “trench to trench” to his capture on 5 April.
According to Zhang, there were two more Chinese in his combat unit. Wang said there was about a dozen in his. “Most of them were dedicated to hard work, the Russians were not mistreated,” said Zhang, who said that in China, an attitude favorable to Russia is promoted.
“China promotes a friendly attitude towards Russia. (…) Before coming to Ukraine, any information [que via] It was about Russia’s victories – Russia captured this, that. “
Zhang said he was promised a contract of two million rubles, just over 21,000 euros. “The war pays more … But as soon as we get there, there is no return. It’s a trap.”
Both Zhang and Wang say they are willing to return to China despite the possible repercussions.
“I understand that there may be a punishment and I am prepared for it (…), but I still want to go home, with my family,” said Wang.
