During the war in Ukraine, Chinese citizens are fighting on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Russian army, posting videos of their military routines on social media, The Economist writes.
"Those fighting for Russia say they are going in search of thrills and money. Some are also motivated by nationalism“, the publication writes and cites several stories of Chinese who have joined the Russian army.
For example, a 23-year-old resident of Gansu province told the independent publication Initium that in 2023 he flew to Moscow to participate in the war because he was promised a high salary. At home, he was a firefighter who earned $400 a month and was promised five times that amount for enlisting in the Russian army. Another fighter, who calls himself Douyin Red Macaron on Chinese social media, admitted that he wanted to go to war because he was inspired by patriotic Chinese films. He went to fight for Russia because it was easy to get a visa. Zhao Jui, a 38-year-old resident of Chongqing, simply wanted to fight “any Japanese who helps Ukraine.” He was killed by a drone strike in 2023.
Some volunteers also fight on the side of Ukraine. Peng Chengliang from Yunnan province was detained in China for seven months in 2023 after posting anti-Russian and pro-Ukrainian messages on X. In 2024 he joined the Foreign Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was killed soon after.
We recall that Volodymyr Zelensky accused China of helping to send its citizens to fight on the side of Russia after the capture of two Chinese in Donbas. China denies these allegations.
The Economist: Chinese volunteers fight for both Russia and Ukraine
Those fighting for Russia say they are going in search of thrills and money, some are also motivated by nationalism
Apr 12, 2025 13:36 251
