Henrik R
Foreign Recruits Reveal the Russian Army’s Lies.
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Wang and Zhang, born in 1991 and 1998, are now prisoners in Ukraine after being captured in Donetsk. At a press briefing, they revealed how they ended up fighting for Russia — drawn in by false promises of money and jobs.
Recruited Through TikTok
Wang, who had been unemployed for a long time, said he found a recruitment ad on TikTok. A Russian recruiter offered him a monthly salary of $1,800–$2,700, along with free travel and visa assistance.
Tricked Upon Arrival in Russia
But as soon as he arrived in Russia, things changed.
– “They took my phone and bank card,” Wang said.
– “Everything we heard from the Russians was a lie,” he added, according to The Kyiv Independent.
Zhang: From Firefighter to Frontline
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– “I just wanted to make money,” he explained.
– “I didn’t expect to end up in a war.”
A Shocking Reality on the Battlefield
Once deployed in Ukraine, both men said they quickly realized they had been deceived. Wang said Russia was not as strong as he’d believed, and Ukraine was much more resilient.
“Better Not to Join the War at All”
Wang said he came to believe it would have been best not to fight at all.
The experience, he said, shattered the image of strength that had been promised.
No Links to Chinese Government, They Say
Both Wang and Zhang insist they acted independently, claiming no connection to the Chinese government.
They say they were just individuals looking for work — and now regret their decisions.
A Warning to Other Chinese Nationals
Now in Ukrainian custody, the two men urge fellow Chinese citizens not to enlist in the Russian army — warning others not to fall for similar traps.
Unverified Claims Under Captivity
Because the two men are being held by Ukrainian forces, it is difficult to independently verify their full accounts.
“We’ve Been Treated Well”
Despite their situation, Wang said the Ukrainian military has treated them well, and that they have felt safe and protected in captivity.
