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Chinese POW Captured by Ukrainian Forces Paid $3,500 to Join Russian Army
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
A Chinese national captured by Ukrainian forces during fighting near Bilohorivka said he paid $3,500 thousand (300,000 rubles) to join the Russian army through a broker in China, lured by promises of Russian citizenship, according to Ukraine’s Operational Tactical Group “Luhansk” in a comment for Ukrainian media Ukrainska Pravda on April 9.
Operational Tactical Group “Luhansk” stated that the man was one of three enemy combatants detained by the 81st Separate Mechanized Brigade during an assault that ended in surrender after Ukrainian troops, including drone operators, applied heavy fire.
The prisoner told investigators he underwent basic military training in occupied Luhansk as part of a unit formed entirely of Chinese citizens. There were no translators; training was conducted using hand gestures and a phone app.
“The enemy is attempting to reinforce its army with foreign nationals through dubious means,” Ukrainian officials noted.
The Chinese citizen said he had no prior military experience but was motivated by the chance to become a Russian citizen. Some others in his group, he added, had legal troubles in China and viewed enlistment as a way out.
Because of the language barrier, the man said he was unable to fully understand battlefield conditions. When the unit took casualties and could no longer resist, they surrendered.
Ukrainian officials confirmed the man’s identity and citizenship, stating that he is cooperating with investigators. He told authorities his family knew he was heading to Russia, though officially he traveled as a tourist.
Ukraine’s military emphasized that it adheres strictly to the Geneva Conventions in its treatment of prisoners of war, and all necessary investigative and procedural steps are being taken.
Earlier, China denied a German media report published on March 24 that suggested discussions about its possible participation in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
