Russian forces weaker than they claim, say Chinese POWs

Chinese citizens Zhang Renbo and Wang Guangjun said they were recruited as mercenaries through online advertisements Credit: Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

| Published April 15, 2025

Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals, Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo, fighting alongside Russian troops in Donetsk. Recruited via TikTok ads promising high salaries and logistical support, they joined the Russian army independently, unrelated to the Chinese government.

Upon arrival, they discovered the promised payments were never made, and their personal belongings, including phones and bank cards, were confiscated. They described harsh living conditions in Russian camps, including lack of food, water, and electricity. One recounted a chemical attack that left him fainting, during which a Ukrainian soldier rescued him.

Both men stated they had no intent to harm Ukrainian troops and criticized Russia’s military strength as exaggerated, praising Ukraine’s resilience. Their testimony follows claims by Ukrainian President Zelensky that Russia is actively recruiting foreign fighters, including from China, North Korea, and other nations.

Although facing potential punishment upon returning to China, both expressed a strong desire to go home and warned other Chinese nationals against joining the war. China’s government has denied involvement and continues to advocate for peace in Ukraine.

---

Implications:

Here are the implications of the captured Chinese fighters’ accounts from a geopolitical and strategic perspective:

🪖 1. Russia’s Military Weakness Exposed

• The testimonies from the captured Chinese men paint a picture of poor Russian logistics, inadequate supplies, and broken promises.

• This undermines the image of a formidable Russian military and raises doubts about their ability to sustain foreign recruits or morale within their own ranks.

  ---

📱 2. Social Media as a Recruitment Tool

• Russia’s alleged use of TikTok ads to lure foreign fighters shows how modern warfare now includes digital manipulation and psychological tactics.

• This raises concerns about online radicalization and exploitation, especially of individuals from poor or vulnerable backgrounds.

  ---

🇨🇳 3. Diplomatic Headache for China

• While Beijing denies involvement, the presence of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia could strain China’s image of neutrality.

• It creates a delicate balancing act for China — managing international optics while avoiding public support for Russia’s war effort.

🌍 4. Complications for International Law

• The use of foreign nationals in combat blurs the lines of international accountability and sovereignty.

• If more cases emerge, it could lead to calls for global regulations on private military contracting and recruitment across borders.

  ---

  🧠 5. Narrative Win for Ukraine (continued)

  • Ukraine is using these testimonies as information warfare tools to expose Russia’s desperation and unethical tactics.

  • The fact that even foreign recruits are calling Russia’s forces weak, and praising Ukrainian resilience, helps boost morale domestically and shape global perception in Ukraine’s favor.

  ---

  🔄 6. Potential Backlash in China

  • These revelations could trigger internal crackdowns in China to prevent further citizens from joining foreign wars, especially if the government fears international embarrassment.

  • It might also lead to tightened censorship or surveillance of content related to military recruitment on Chinese social media platforms.

  ---

  🧨 7. Wider Impact on Foreign Fighters

  • The story serves as a cautionary tale to other would-be foreign volunteers drawn in by false promises online.

  • It also opens a wider debate on the ethics and legality of foreign nationals joining unofficial military campaigns, particularly on the side of an aggressor like Russia.

  ---

  Overall Takeaway:

  The capture of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia highlights cracks in the Russian military’s recruitment and operational strategies. Their stories of exploitation and weak conditions challenge the narrative of Russian strength and underscore Ukraine’s resilience. At the same time, it raises critical questions about the role of social media in modern warfare and the ethical implications of foreign fighters. This incident also puts China in a tight spot, as it struggles to maintain its neutral stance while its citizens are involved in a conflict abroad. Ultimately, this case exposes vulnerabilities on multiple fronts — from Russia’s military to China’s geopolitical positioning — and serves as a powerful piece in the information war surrounding the Ukraine conflict.

 

---

SOURCES: THE TELEGRAPH – Russian forces weaker than they claim, say Chinese POWs

KOREA JOONGANG DAILY – Chinese mercenary POWs speak out on role in Ukraine war: ‘Russia is not strong’

THE SUN – VLAD’S FAKE ARMY  ‘We were fed lies’: Russian forces are NOT as strong as tyrant Putin claims, captured Chinese ‘TikTok warriors’ admit

---