Prisoners of war are Chinese citizens: Ukrainian military were not killed
Chinese nationals who fought on the side of the Russian Federation and were captured by the Ukrainian military in Donetsk region said they were ready for an exchange. They also rejected the Chinese government's involvement in sending them to war.
They said this during a press conference, Censor.NET reports.
"We are ready for an exchange and we want to return to China to our homeland," said one of the prisoners.
They also emphasized that they had no previous connection to the Chinese government and had not served in the army.
One of the prisoners, Wang Guangjun, said that he did not kill Ukrainian soldiers while fighting on the side of the Russian Federation.
"A month at the training ground, three days on the front line, and then captivity," he said.
Zhang Renbo and Wang Guangjun said they were satisfied with the treatment they received in Ukraine and believe they were lucky not only to survive but also to be treated well in captivity, Interfax-Ukraine quoted them as saying.
Guangjun has a "deep impression of the Ukrainian military".
"We were transported to a safe place, we are treated well. They also gave us a meal from McDonald's," Renbo said.
"Everything we heard from the Russians is not true. I urge my countrymen not to believe the Russians, because Russia is not as strong as it seems, and Ukraine is not as weak as it seems. Therefore, it is better not to participate in wars at all," Wang added.
SBU spokesman Artem Dekhtyarenko said that the Chinese prisoners of war are being held in proper conditions, the press conference was held with their consent and to demonstrate to the world that not only citizens of the aggressor country are fighting on the side of Russia.
Chinese citizens in captivity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
As reported earlier, Ukrainian defenders captured two Chinese citizens in the Donetsk region. They fought as part of the Russian army.
According to the president, the Ukrainian Armed Forces engaged in a battle with six Chinese in the Donetsk region near the settlements of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka, after which two were taken prisoner.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine summoned the Charge d'Affaires of China because of the participation of Chinese citizens in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia.
US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said that the United States is aware that Ukraine has captured two Chinese citizens who fought on the side of Russia.
