‘Don’t come here’: Warning from the frontlines to Chinese nationals thinking of fighting for Russia

A Chinese man who fought for Russia in Ukraine says he was locked in a steel-barred pit for 21 days after clashing with his commander. He claims the dispute was over protective gear. “I have to speak out and warn other irrational Chinese  don’t come over here,” said the man, who asked to be called Michael.

Michael said he joined Russia’s war to “experience military life abroad.” Now, he calls it “a mistake.” After a brutal year on the frontlines, he is recovering from injuries and sharing his story.

“The world’s number two military is a sheer joke,” he told CNN. He described poor logistics, broken equipment, and corruption in Russia’s ranks. His report echoes concerns raised by others since the war began.

Foreign fighters are on both sides of the conflict. Ukraine recently captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky said there are “many more.” Beijing denied involvement and urged its citizens to stay out of the war. Russia called the claims false.

Kyiv says 155 Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia, but the real number may be higher. Michael and another Chinese fighter say they’ve seen hundreds.

Michael first joined Wagner, the Russian mercenary group, after the regular army rejected him for not speaking Russian. He later signed a one-year contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry. The deal promised him 200,000 rubles ($2,400) per month, with bonuses for territory gained.

Most Chinese fighters are motivated by money, Michael said. “No money, no honor,” one user posted on Douyin. CNN tracked the comment’s IP to Russia. Michael says many of the Chinese fighters come from lower-income backgrounds and see this war as a way out.

Another Chinese man, age 37, said he spent a year in the Russian army. He earned three times more than his previous job. He said he joined out of personal restlessness, not politics. “Maybe it’s because I feel lost,” he said. “I just want to wander.”

China’s pro-Russia media coverage may also shape these choices, experts say. Maria Repnikova of Georgia State University said Chinese media gives “significant weight” to Russia’s side of the war.

Some Chinese fighters use Kremlin language like “special military operation” and “fighting Nazi fascism” in posts. Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, featured daily videos from Chinese men on the frontlines until the Ukrainian government raised concerns. Most accounts were taken down soon after.

Still, Russian recruitment ads remain visible online in China. Michael believes he was censored for speaking out. He said restrictions began before Zelensky’s public comments. Another Chinese fighter who returned home last year said he was stopped from leaving the country recently. He suspects his military past is the reason.

On the Ukrainian side, fewer Chinese nationals have joined. But their motivation is different. Many say they oppose China’s close ties with Russia.

Jason, a Chinese-born man living in the U.S., dropped out of grad school to fight for Ukraine. He said China’s threat to invade Taiwan inspired him. His great-grandfather died fighting against China’s Communist Party. “I hope Taiwan sees someone would come help,” Jason said.

Another potential fighter, Sophie, is a PhD student from a top Chinese university. She applied to join Ukraine’s forces after a year in Europe. Her time abroad changed her views. “I used to be pretty indifferent,” she said. “Now I see how one-sided the information was back home.”

Zelensky said Ukraine is investigating if China is quietly encouraging citizens to fight for Russia. China denies any involvement. “These claims are groundless,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

Experts say the quick censorship of Chinese mercenaries' social media is no surprise. “It was a big scandal,” said Repnikova. But she added that the presence of pro-Russia recruitment videos online may be due to oversight, not policy.

Despite fighting on opposite sides, Michael and Jason agree: war was nothing like they imagined. “It’s incredibly brutal, far beyond what anyone can imagine,” Michael said.