Chinese Fighters Reveal Brutal Truths Of Russia’s War In Ukraine

A Chinese man who fought for the Russian army claims his commanders locked him in a dark, steel-barred pit—barely large enough to stand—for 21 days. His offense, he says, was questioning a superior over life-saving protective gear.

The man, using the alias “Michael,” told CNN he initially joined Russia’s war in Ukraine to “experience military life abroad.” But after a harrowing year on the front lines, he now calls his decision to enlist in Vladimir Putin’s army “a mistake.”

Michael said the punishment crushed any desire he had to keep fighting. “I need to speak the truth and warn other Chinese people—don’t come here,” he said during a phone interview from his recovery bed, where he is healing from battlefield injuries.

Calling Russia’s military “a complete joke,” Michael cited outdated equipment, poor logistics, corruption, and abuse. His criticisms mirror broader reports that have surfaced since the war began.

The Shadow Army: Chinese Fighters in Putin’s Ranks

While both Ukraine and Russia have leaned on foreign fighters, Chinese mercenaries fighting for Russia recently grabbed headlines when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that two Chinese nationals had been captured. He claimed there were “many more” still fighting for Moscow.

Beijing quickly denied any official involvement and urged its citizens not to take part in military actions. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister called the claims “completely untrue.” But days later, Ukraine publicly paraded the captured Chinese fighters, and Kyiv now claims at least 155 Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia—likely a conservative estimate, according to Zelensky.

Michael and another Chinese fighter interviewed by CNN both said they personally knew “hundreds” of others in Russian ranks.

There are also a few Chinese nationals fighting on the Ukrainian side, although their motivations appear to be ideological rather than financial.

Masculinity, Money, and Propaganda

Michael said his journey into the war began after seeing propaganda videos on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. The videos featured Chinese subtitles over Russian footage, often goading viewers with slogans like “Aren’t you a man? Be a real man!”

Enticed by the promise of cash and adventure, Michael—who previously served in China’s People’s Liberation Army—signed up. In November 2023, he arrived in Moscow on a tourist visa. Though initially rejected by the Russian army due to the language barrier, he was later recruited by the Wagner mercenary group and sent to Donbas. By May 2024, he signed a one-year contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry and was deployed to Bakhmut.

Michael said the contract promised 200,000 rubles per month (around $2,400), with bonuses of 50,000 rubles for each kilometer of territory taken from Ukrainian forces.

“For most of my Chinese comrades, it's all about the money,” he said. “We come from the bottom rung of society back home.”

Another Chinese mercenary, a 37-year-old former prison guard, said he made three times his previous salary fighting for Russia. Though he couldn’t fully explain his motivations, he described a "hero complex" and said he felt directionless in civilian life.

Censorship and Silencing

As reports of Chinese fighters made international headlines, Chinese authorities moved swiftly to silence the growing visibility of these mercenaries online. Social media accounts—many with usernames displaying Chinese and Russian flags—were suddenly blocked. Michael believes his own posts were part of the reason for the crackdown.

Another former fighter who returned to China in late 2024 told CNN he was barred from leaving the country shortly afterward. He suspects the restriction is tied to his service in Russia.

Despite the censorship, recruitment ads for the Russian military remain widespread on Chinese platforms—something experts suggest may be more of an oversight than a calculated strategy.

Fighting for Ukraine: A Different Motivation

Some Chinese nationals have chosen the opposite side. Jason, a Chinese-born U.S. resident, dropped out of a master’s program in computer science to enlist in the Ukrainian International Legion in 2023.

His motivation wasn’t money, but ideology—particularly China’s threats toward Taiwan. His great-grandfather died fighting China’s Communists in the 1940s, and Jason saw the war in Ukraine as a chance to stand against authoritarianism.

Another volunteer, Sophie, a PhD student from a prestigious Chinese university, is waiting for approval to join Ukraine’s forces. A year abroad in Europe, away from China’s state media and censorship, changed her political perspective. She said she had once believed Russia’s narrative until she accessed broader global news.

A Shared Realization: The Cost of War

Despite being on opposing sides, Michael and Jason came to the same conclusion: war is not what they imagined.

“It’s incredibly brutal—far beyond what anyone can imagine,” Michael said.

Their stories, shaped by propaganda, idealism, or desperation, serve as a warning to others watching from afar. Whether motivated by paychecks or principles, Chinese citizens are becoming part of a war that is as politically complex as it is violently unforgiving.