Do not come here: warning to Chinese fighters for Russia

Do not come here: warning to Chinese fighters for Russia

A Chinese man who fights for the Russian army claims that his superiors had locked him in a dark hole secured with steel rods for 21 days, in which he had barely enough space to stand. According to his statements, the reason for this was a deal with his commander on life -saving protective equipment.

a military mistake

Michael, not his real name, said that he had joined the struggle of Russia against Ukraine to get "a taste of military life abroad". After a brutal year on the front, however, he is convinced that recruitment in Vladimir Putin's army was "a mistake". His experience in the hole, in which the 29-year-old could hardly raise his head, destroyed his wish to fight for Moscow. He would like to send a message to other Chinese citizens who seriously think about joining Russia's struggle: "I have to pronounce some truths and warn those irrational Chinese - does not come here," he said.

grievances in the Russian army

In conversation with CNN, Michael said that he was currently recovering from injuries he had suffered in battle. "The second largest army in the world is a joke," he said and led inferior equipment, inadequate logistics, abuse and "serious corruption" as problems within the military - complaints that have been widely documented since the beginning of the war.

foreigners in the ranks of both sides

Both Ukraine and Russia have used foreign fighters to strengthen their armed forces. The question of the Chinese mercenaries who fight for Russia moved into the global spotlight when Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj revealed in early April that two Chinese fighters were captured by Ukraine and explained that there were "much more" in Russia's ranks. Selenskyj demanded answers from Beijing, which in turn contested every participation and again called for Chinese citizens to "stay away from military promotions of every party".

recruitment campaigns and motivations

On social media platforms, Chinese men were addressed with recruitment ads to fight for Russia at the front in Ukraine. The contributions and associated videos seen by CNN typically promise good payment and the strengthening of the masculinity of men who register. These videos, all of which are in Russian, come with Chinese subtitles who say: "Are you not a man? Be a real man!" It is unclear who made the translations.

experiences and perspectives

Michael, who was previously a soldier in the China People's Liberation Army, came to Moscow with a tourist visa in November 2023. After an initial rejection by the Russian army, since he did not speak Russian, he joined the infamous group of mercenary Wagner and was sent to the Donbas region. Six months later, he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense, which sent him to Bakhmut. His monthly remuneration was 200,000 rubles (approx. $ 2,400), plus bonuses for conquering areas.

The search for identity and way out

Another Chinese fighter who fought for Russia documented his experiences online and announced that he earned about three times as much as before in his home country. He explained that financial motives played a role for many of the fighters. Many felt at the lower end of society, while economic growth in China stagnates. A 37-year-old Chinese, whose identity CNN does not publish, said that he had not joined the military for financial reasons, but felt lost in his life by a "hero complex" and in search of something.

ideological motivation

There are parallelities among those who fight for Ukraine, because many of them see themselves less motivated by money, but by ideology. Jason, who emigrated to America during his school days, registered in the international legion of Ukraine in May 2023. His drive to fight for Ukraine was the threat of China in relation to Taiwan, which he personally motivated.

conclusions and outlook

The situation with the Chinese fighters in this conflict is remarkably complex. While some are fighting for Russia to gain personal and financial benefits, others are motivated according to ideological beliefs. The war has made it clear how different the perspectives of fighters from the same country can be and how they justify their experiences and decisions.

The Ukraine conflict and the role of Chinese fighters raise considerable questions about loyalty, motivation and the influences of propaganda to a global audience.