"Don't Come, There's Nothing Good" Chinese Soldiers Who Participated in Ukraine War Appeal

Suffering from Poor Conditions Such as Racial Discrimination and Unpaid Wages
Often Sent First on Dangerous Missions with Low Chances of Survival

Recently, advertisements urging Chinese people to enlist as Russian mercenaries in the Ukraine war have been actively circulating online. However, reports have emerged that Chinese participants in the war are suffering from harsh conditions.

On the 11th (local time), the Ukrainian media outlet Kyiv Independent reported, "Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia are warning others not to believe Russian propaganda," stating that they are complaining about racial discrimination and unpaid wages.

The Kyiv Independent reported, "Like other mercenaries, Chinese soldiers are often deployed on the front lines of dangerous assault units." Similar to the case of North Korean troops deployed in Kursk, they tend to be used as so-called 'cannon fodder.'

The outlet explained, "Russia spends money hiring mercenaries to carry out front-line combat missions with low survival chances because it is reluctant to send Slavic regular troops to the front lines."

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It added that many new Chinese recruits have been assigned to the Wagner Group's 'Storm-Z' unit, with some dying on their very first mission. Storm-Z is a unit formed by recruiting prisoners. Due to political motives aimed at minimizing backlash from Russians, they are deployed on dangerous missions and are known to have a high casualty rate.

A documentary released last month featured a Chinese soldier claiming, "There was severe racial discrimination against Black people, Arabs, and Chinese from the training camp onward." He also said, "Chinese people have not experienced war for a long time and do not understand the reality of war."

The Kyiv Independent reported that although Russian authorities are supposed to pay 400,000 yuan (about 78 million won) to the families of deceased Chinese soldiers, payments are often delayed.

Additionally, Chinese soldiers testify that the Russian military refuses to discharge Chinese soldiers whose contracts have expired, stating "the contract ends only when the war is won," leading some to risk their lives by deserting.

Zhao Rui, a mercenary from Chongqing known as the first Chinese casualty of a Ukrainian drone strike last December, appealed in an interview with Chinese media, "There is nothing good about coming here, so do not come."