烏克蘭俘虜中國傭兵並發佈名單,我們從中讀出了甚麼信息? | 端傳媒 Initium Media

See original article

Captured Chinese Mercenaries

Two Chinese citizens, Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo, were captured by Ukrainian forces in April 2025 while fighting for Russia. Their capture was publicized by Ukrainian President Zelensky, who also claimed to have information on 155 other Chinese citizens fighting in the war.

  • Wang was recruited in China by Russian agents and signed a contract in February 2025.
  • Zhang arrived in Russia for tourism and joined the Russian army after seeing an online advertisement.

Their capture locations suggest they were part of a large-scale Russian offensive.

Experiences of Captured Soldiers

Wang and Zhang described their experiences, including intense fighting, drone attacks, and poor treatment from Russian soldiers. They expressed regret for joining the war and emphasized the lies they were told about the conflict.

  • They were part of a squad that endured long marches and heavy losses.
  • They experienced a chemical weapons attack by Russian forces.
  • They felt exploited and abused.

List of Chinese Mercenaries

Ukraine released a list of 155 Chinese citizens fighting for Russia, including details about their age, recruitment, and military units. Analysis of this list suggests patterns and highlights the risk faced by Chinese nationals involved.

  • The average age is 33.
  • Most are assigned to units with high casualty rates.
  • Many were recruited from Moscow.

Political Implications

Ukraine used the capture of the Chinese mercenaries to pressure China and increase Western involvement. China's response was cautious, urging its citizens to avoid the conflict.

Legal Status and Future

The legal status of the Chinese soldiers as mercenaries is unclear, and their future remains uncertain. Some Chinese mercenaries have returned to China without facing serious punishment.

Sign up for a free account and get the following:
  • Save articles and sync them across your devices
  • Get a digest of the latest premium articles in your inbox twice a week, personalized to you (Coming soon).
  • Get access to our AI features