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Zelenskyy Reveals How Russia Is Recruiting Chinese Nationals for the War in Ukraine
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![Photo of Liubava Petriv]( "Photo of Liubava Petriv")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian authorities have identified the methods used by Russia to recruit Chinese nationals for its military operations in the war against Ukraine.
Speaking to journalists on April 9, he detailed how recruitment efforts are carried out openly through social media.
“One of the recruitment methods involves social media, particularly TikTok and other Chinese platforms, where Russian entities spread promotional videos,” Zelenskyy said. “Official Beijing is aware of this. These recruitment ads are publicly available, which is important to note. There could also be covert recruitment happening.”
According to Zelenskyy, individuals recruited through these channels arrive in Russia and undergo a structured process before being deployed to Ukraine.
“These people arrive in the Russian Federation, typically in Moscow, where they undergo medical examinations for three to four days. They then spend one to two months in training centers before being sent to fight in Ukraine,” he explained.
Zelenskyy also noted that recruits receive migration documents and financial support.
“They obtain migration cards and are issued payment system cards, such as ‘Mir,’ which they use to receive their salaries,” he added.
Although China denied any military involvement in the war, Ukrainian intelligence suggests that Russia is specifically targeting foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens, to bolster its ranks in the war against Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy also confirmed the recruitment efforts with video evidence of the interrogation of two Chinese nationals:
“The first two captured Chinese citizens. Today, investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine spoke with them. We are investigating all the facts regarding the presence of these and other Chinese citizens in the ranks of the Russian occupation army.
As of now, we have precise data on over 150 Chinese citizens who have been recruited by Russia to fight against Ukraine. We know that the actual number is higher.
Ukraine believes that Russia’s open recruitment of Chinese citizens for combat in Ukraine is a deliberate step toward escalating the war. This is further proof that Moscow seeks to prolong the war.”
Previously, it was reported that 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.
