During a press conference held in Kyiv on Monday, two Chinese prisoners of war made startling claims regarding their involuntary participation in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both men, identified as 34-year-old Wang Guangjun and 27-year-old Zhang Renbao, asserted that they did not willingly engage in combat against Ukraine.

Wang, who described himself as having been deceived into joining the Russian military, recounted harrowing experiences of strict surveillance that prevented him from even going to the bathroom alone. He revealed that upon entering Russia, he had been led to believe he would serve as a rehabilitation therapist for injured soldiers, only to find himself thrust into a combat role on the front lines.

Ukraine's armed forces reported that both Wang and Zhang were captured in the Donetsk region. Their status as prisoners of war raises questions about their ability to speak freely, and as such, their statements have not been independently verified by Business Insider.

In a bid for assistance, both men expressed hope that the Chinese government would take notice of their situation and advocate for their release. They emphasized that they were not fighting voluntarily against Ukraine, with Wang poignantly describing his feelings of entrapment after reporting for duty in Moscow in early 2025.

Wang recounted, "Escape is impossible. From the moment you enter the training camp, a guard with a loaded gun accompanies you even to the bathroom at night." He further elaborated on the oppressive atmosphere, stating, "Your commander keeps a watchful eye on you, leaving no opportunity for escape. With military police everywhere, theres simply nowhere to run."

Both men claimed they had been promised substantial monthly salaries of 280,000 rubles, approximately $3,400, but reported difficulties in communication with their Russian-speaking superiors. Wang mentioned surrendering his mobile phone and expressed uncertainty about whether he received any payment for his service. "I can very honestly tell everyone that I absolutely don't know the specifics," he said, lamenting the secrecy surrounding their deployment.

In the wake of their capture, they described the dire conditions and challenges they faced. Wang stated that he was assigned to a unit referred to as the "7th," possibly indicating a connection to Russia's 7th Motorized Rifle Brigade. He recounted a particularly harrowing incident on April 4, where he and fellow soldiers were ordered to advance towards the front lines, only to find themselves under heavy fire from Ukrainian drones. "I thought we had arrived at our own friendly position, so I was taken aback when a Russian soldier called my name, mimicking a gunshot sound to urge me to attack," Wang recounted, describing the chaos that ensued as several of his comrades were struck down. Ultimately, they surrendered to Ukrainian forces.

Zhang's story mirrored Wang's in many respects. Arriving in Moscow as a tourist in December, he sought employment and was eventually dispatched to Donetsk. He shared that he and a small group were sent to advance at the front lines, where they endured relentless drone attacks and sought refuge to survive. Describing his escape, Zhang stated, "I just ran and ran until I encountered Ukrainian soldiers," illustrating the desperation of their situation.

Ukrainian authorities have indicated that they possess evidence suggesting over 150 Chinese individuals are fighting for Russia, though there is no indication that this involvement is officially sanctioned by the Chinese government. Recent reports from Reuters have cited unnamed U.S. officials, asserting that most of these Chinese nationals are serving as mercenaries. Concurrently, the Chinese government has reiterated its stance, advising its citizens to avoid involvement in the conflict.

A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry addressed the situation, stating, "We call on the relevant party to be correct and sober about China's role and refrain from making irresponsible remarks." This statement underscores the delicate diplomatic balance at play as China navigates its position amid the ongoing war.