Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Chinese Nationals Reportedly Recruited as Fighters in Ukraine Conflict
Videos circulating across Chinese social media platforms are purportedly advertising opportunities to become mercenaries fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war. These clips range from polished Russian propaganda emphasizing the image of “tough” men to informal influencer-style appeals promoting a working holiday abroad. Still others are compilations of screenshots from ordinary citizens preparing to depart China. A common thread among them is the promotion of benefits associated with enlisting as a Chinese mercenary in the Russian military.
Ukraine Accuses Russia of Recruiting Chinese Fighters
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, announced on Tuesday the capture of two Chinese citizens in the contested Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. He asserted that Moscow is attempting to involve China, either “directly or indirectly,” in the ongoing hostilities. The following day, Zelenskyy stated that these individuals were among at least 155 Chinese nationals serving within Russia’s armed forces. Furthermore, on Thursday, he accused Russia of conducting “systematic efforts” within China to enlist combatants.
China Maintains Neutrality Amid Recruitment Claims
Despite these allegations, China declares itself a neutral party in the conflict. However, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin maintain a publicly close alliance, characterized by a declared “no limits” partnership between their nations.
Zelenskyy Demands Beijing Address Recruitment
Zelenskyy has called upon Beijing to provide answers, alleging that it is overlooking Russia’s recruitment of Chinese citizens. Russia has a known history of utilizing or attempting to recruit foreign mercenaries and soldiers from various countries, including North Korea, Syria, and Libya, for deployment in the conflict. Zelenskyy stated that Russia is employing advertisements on Chinese social media platforms like Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok, to recruit Chinese fighters, suggesting Beijing is aware of these activities.
Social Media Recruitment Campaigns Target Chinese Citizens
Numerous recruitment videos are readily accessible on Chinese social media. These videos consistently highlight the financial incentives, advertising sign-on bonuses ranging from 60,000 to 200,000 RMB (£6,000 to £21,000) and monthly salaries around 18,000 RMB (£1,900).
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Propaganda and Influencer Tactics
One widely circulated video, amassing hundreds of thousands of views across platforms, appears to be a Russian recruitment advertisement subtitled in Chinese. It depicts Caucasian men leaving their everyday jobs to engage in combat, posing questions to viewers such as: “Do you want to demonstrate strength here? Is this the path you desire? You are a tough man, be like them!”
Personal Testimonials and Financial Incentives
Another prevalent video features an individual claiming to have already been recruited. In December, he stated, “Due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, I’m heading there after the new year,” shown alongside screenshots detailing the registration process.
In a separate clip, a Russian influencer addresses her substantial following of over 300,000 Mandarin speakers. She promotes the monetary advantages of joining the Russian army, citing sign-on bonuses and consistent monthly payments from the Russian government and military, in addition to housing benefits, medical care, and childcare provisions.
“Trained by experienced coaches, equipped with the best professional gear,” she asserts. “In Moscow, anyone under 60 years old can enlist, irrespective of prior foreign military service. Both foreign and Russian citizens can volunteer.”
Public Reaction and Motivations for Enlistment
Reactions varied, particularly to posts from Chinese individuals announcing their enlistment. Some inquired about how to participate or whether language proficiency in Russian was a prerequisite. One user commented, “Is there a team in Shanxi? Count me in. I have a passport ready and can depart at any moment.”
Many observers pointed out the higher wages compared to earnings in China. However, commentary also frequently labeled those enlisting as “cannon fodder.”
Experiences of Chinese Fighters in Russian Forces
Approximately three weeks prior, Chinese journalist and author Chai Jing interviewed a Chinese citizen who joined Russian forces in November 2023, traveling to Russia on a tourist visa.
This soldier reported being stationed in Bakhmut as part of an “assault team” near the frontlines. He acknowledged that “money played a role” in his decision to join, but his primary motivation was to experience warfare, despite prior service in the Chinese military.
He indicated that he could have potentially joined either side, but perceived a larger contingent of Chinese fighters with the Russian forces. This, he speculated, was possibly due to easier visa processes, and a sentiment that Russia was supportive of China’s interests. However, his personal aim was to convey to people in China the “brutal” realities of war.
“I realised I might perish here one day, so I decided to share some real experiences since China’s population has not endured war for a considerable time,” he explained, expressing his hope for China to pursue a stable global role and “refrain from initiating or participating in wars.”
Limited Chinese Fighters on Ukrainian Side
Last week, Chai interviewed Chinese soldiers fighting for Ukraine, noting their significantly smaller numbers compared to those in Russian forces. Ukraine maintains it does not recruit mercenaries, but permits foreign volunteers to join its armed forces.
China Dismisses Claims of State-Sponsored Recruitment
Statements from Chinese officials on Wednesday suggested that citizens were joining of their own accord. Beijing officials dismissed the notion of substantial Chinese involvement in the war as “totally unfounded.”
“Let me emphasize that the Chinese government consistently urges Chinese nationals to remain远离 areas of armed conflict, abstain from any form of involvement in armed conflict, and particularly avoid participation in any party’s military operations,” stated foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a regular press briefing in Beijing.
On Thursday, when questioned about Zelenskyy’s assertions regarding Chinese fighters, Lin called upon “relevant parties” to “refrain from making irresponsible remarks.”
Social Media Posts Persist Despite Censorship
Despite China’s stringent monitoring and censorship of its social media platforms, the continued presence of recruitment posts – some for several months and shared hundreds of thousands of times – implies a lack of concerted effort by authorities to remove them. China’s social media environment is known for its rapid and effective censorship of sensitive or critical content.