‘All Russia Fed Us Are Lies’ – Captured Chinese language POWs Recall Frontline Expertise

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The 2 Chinese language troopers combating for Moscow captured by Kyiv have make clear their firsthand expertise combating as employed weapons for Russia, highlighting the affect of Russian narratives on the Chinese language inhabitants because the leaders of each nations hailed historic shut ties.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the seize of the 2 troopers on April 8, and later mentioned more than 150 Chinese nationals are serving within the Russian Armed Forces, a declare Beijing dismissed as “ irresponsible remarks .”

JOIN US ON TELEGRAM Comply with our protection of the warfare on the @Kyivpost_official .

At a Monday press convention hosted by the Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU), the company tasked with the POWs’ internment, the 2 people advised reporters about their journey to Russia and the maltreatment they skilled serving beneath the Russian army.

Journey to Russia, then japanese Ukraine Wang Guangjun, who earlier mentioned he was recruited in China through a TikTok advert and paid to join the Russian military , mentioned he went by Kazan then Rostov-on-Don earlier than coming into japanese Ukraine’s Donetsk area when requested by a Kyiv Put up reporter in regards to the cities they traveled by and the technique of transportation used en path to Ukraine’s Donbas area.

“[I] departed from Kazan… Kazan in [Russia’s] Tatarstan Republic, then reached Rostov-on-Don. From Rostov I reached [Ukraine’s] Donetsk. On the best way I took designated coaches and minibuses, and in addition a minivan. Then I made it to northern Donetsk, then now I'm right here,” Wang mentioned.

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Wang later added that he was captured three days after he was first deployed.

Throughout coaching, your commander will at all times regulate you.

Wang Guangjun, captured Chinese language POW

Dire battlefield situations A reporter from Taiwan’s Public Tv Service (PTS) requested in the event that they tried to flee or skilled maltreatment by the Russian army, in the event that they regretted becoming a member of the warfare, and if they've a message for his or her household.

“For the primary query, working away is just not potential as a result of the second you be a part of the coaching camp, each time you go to the toilet – even in the course of the night time – there will likely be a soldier following you round with a loaded rifle,” Wang mentioned.

“Then, throughout coaching, your commander will at all times regulate you, there is no such thing as a means you may escape. Plus, Russian army observers are all over the place, you can not run wherever.”

“In Rostov, there was as soon as an incident the place a foreigner dedicated suicide in the course of the night time, the precise purpose… particularly, we don’t know,” he added.

Wang additionally described the poor situations of the camp in Russia’s Rostov, the place he lived in a spot with out water or electrical energy, and solely acquired a meal in a day or two.

There was an occasion once they had been working till 4 a.m. or 5 a.m., and solely then had been they given “a pinch of uncooked rice” as meals, he mentioned.

Warfare, as earlier than, solely existed in my tv exhibits or motion pictures.

Wang Guangjun, captured Chinese language POW

Regrets on collaborating within the warfare Zhang Renbo, the opposite POW who mentioned he traveled to Russia as a vacationer with plans to affix the Russian army, mentioned his prime remorse is leaving residence to affix the warfare.

“There’s no use in saying a lot. One other factor – answering [another question on] what I need to inform my dad and mom – as a result of… my dad and mom would possibly see me on tv, as a result of they didn’t know that I joined the warfare in Russia. I need to inform them that I'm alive. Regardless that you is perhaps very indignant, not less than I'm fortunate to be alive,” Zhang mentioned.

“Ukraine is treating me effectively,” he added.

About regrets, Wang mentioned he felt sorry for his father and mom earlier than criticizing the tough actuality of wars.

“Warfare, as earlier than, solely existed in my tv exhibits or motion pictures,” he mentioned, including that what he described earlier has proven that they don't correspond to actuality.

“However if you really expertise it firsthand, you'll notice how lengthy each second lasts,” he mentioned, including that he needs to return residence quickly and cooperate with the Ukrainian authorities.

Russia isn’t as sturdy as they declare, and Ukraine isn’t as backward as they are saying.

Wang Guangjun, captured Chinese language POW

Perceptions on Ukraine, Russia When requested about China’s perceptions of Ukraine, Wang mentioned Ukrainians are identified to be handsome whereas Zhang mentioned he observed a drop in meals provides to China after the full-scale invasion began.

“Plenty of good-looking males and handsome girls, that’s what everybody in China is aware of,” Wang mentioned.

“I do know that relations between Ukraine and my nation are that China has been importing Ukrainian meals. For the reason that warfare began, our meals imports grew to become decrease,” Zhang mentioned.

Wang additionally critcized Moscow’s propaganda on the Chinese language inhabitants and mentioned he would dissuade his fellow residents from becoming a member of the struggle when requested about their views on the present state of affairs in Ukraine and potential messages for different Chinese language nationals wishing to affix the struggle.

“For these fellow Chinese language compatriots who want to be a part of the warfare towards Ukraine, I simply need to say that don’t be a part of this warfare,” Wang mentioned after Zhang defined the query to him.

“All Russia fed us are lies. They’re faux. Russia isn’t as sturdy as they declare, and Ukraine isn’t as backward as they are saying. When the second of becoming a member of the warfare comes – when [one starts] exchanging hearth, [I] uncover that every part is a lie. I want you to recollect by all means to not be a part of any warfare, particularly this warfare that's irrelevant to us.

Wang additionally mentioned that Russian troops by no means taught them how you can give up, including that it's his perception that Russian troops by no means anticipate overseas fighters to be captured, and the message relayed to them is {that a} horrible destiny awaits if they're captured by Ukrainian troops.

“Russia tells all overseas fighters – the message they relay to them – if we're captured, we'll die horribly, [Ukraine] will… they described it as grotesque therapy, or [our] images will likely be despatched to family and friends [back home],” Wang mentioned.