Russian Mercenary Recruitment Spotted on Chinese SNS
Claim Supports "155 Chinese Nationals Participating"
The Guardian: "Chinese SNS Under Strict Surveillance,
At Least Chinese Authorities Are Turning a Blind Eye"
Advertisements encouraging enlistment as Russian mercenaries in the Ukraine war are being repeatedly posted on Chinese social networking services (SNS). This aligns with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim that 155 Chinese nationals have joined the Russian military and are fighting, reflecting Russia's active recruitment efforts. However, both Russia and China deny these claims.
On the 9th (local time), a Chinese man captured by the Ukrainian military is being interrogated by Ukrainian authorities while showing a family photo. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
According to the British Guardian on the 10th (local time), recruitment ads easily found on Chinese SNS emphasize financial benefits while appealing to masculinity and aggressiveness. They gesture that enlisting in the Russian military offers signing bonuses ranging from 60,000 yuan (approximately 12 million KRW) to 200,000 yuan (about 39 million KRW), along with a monthly salary around 18,000 yuan (approximately 3.5 million KRW).
Another advertisement features a strong-looking white man shedding everyday jobs such as supermarket security guard, fitness trainer, and taxi driver to don a military uniform. Subtitles in Russian and Chinese encourage viewers with phrases like, "Is this the path you wanted? Do you want to show your strength? You are a strong man. Become a man." Another video ad shows a man claiming to have already been hired as a mercenary explaining how to respond to recruitment.
A video featuring a famous Russian influencer explaining enlistment pay and benefits such as housing, medical care, and childcare in Chinese was also captured. The influencer gestures, "You will be provided with the best equipment and trained by experienced instructors," adding, "Anyone under 60 years old can voluntarily enlist regardless of prior military service abroad."
The media reported that these videos received a variety of comments, ranging from questions about how to enlist and whether not knowing Russian is a barrier, to remarks like "You'll become cannon fodder." Many responses noted that the pay level is better than what is received in the Chinese military. The Guardian pointed out, "Considering that Chinese SNS is strictly monitored and controlled, the fact that these ads remained for several months indicates that at least the authorities did not pay attention to this issue."
Earlier, on the 9th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated at a press conference, "Ukraine's intelligence agencies have secured personal information on at least 155 Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine," and claimed, "Russia is spreading mercenary recruitment ads through Chinese SNS." He also released a video showing two Chinese individuals captured while fighting as part of the Russian military in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk. In a statement posted on Telegram the same day, Zelensky asserted, "It is clear that this is a systematic effort by Russia to mobilize Chinese people for the war within Chinese territory and jurisdiction," and urged, "All necessary measures must be taken to prevent Russia from having the opportunity to prolong the war."
Russia dismissed Zelensky's remarks as "not true." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at a briefing on the 10th, "That is not true. China takes a balanced stance. China is our strategic partner, friend, and comrade." He emphasized, "China always takes a very balanced position. This is why Zelensky is wrong." China also rejected the claims, calling them "baseless" and advising against "irresponsible remarks."
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