China Seeks Return of Captured Soldiers in Ukraine

The two Chinese nationals captured by Ukraine after fighting for Moscow remains in Kyiv’s custody a year after their capture. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Chinese prisoners of war Zhang Renbo (L) and Wang Guangjun (R) attend a press conference in Kyiv on April 14, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Genya SAVILOV / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google China said it is seeking the return of two Chinese nationals captured by Ukraine after fighting for Russia. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told Ukrainian state media Ukrinform that it has “appealed to the Ukrainian side” to return the two prisoners of war (POWs), according to Ukrinform on Wednesday. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “The Chinese government has appealed to the Ukrainian side to adhere to international norms in the treatment of captured Chinese citizens,” Lin said in response to a question about the POWs. China is “taking all legal measures to return their citizens from captivity to their homeland as soon as possible,” Lin added. Lin told Ukrinform that Beijing has advised Chinese nationals not to take part in Russia’s war in Ukraine on either side of the conflict. “The Chinese government always asks its citizens to stay away from armed conflict zones, avoid any form of participation in armed conflicts or military operations of any party,” Lin said. The two Chinese POWs, Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo, were captured by Kyiv in April 2025. President Volodymyr Zelensky shared the footage depicting the two soon after their capture, in which one of them was seen describing the moment he was captured after a drone hit his commander. “Vroom vroom… boom boom boom boom boom… and then my commander… ‘Boom,” the POW said, mimicking the explosions and subsequent injuries for both him and his commander. Other Topics of Interest Zelensky Accuses Russia of Violating Ceasefire, Signals Possible ‘Mirror Response’ During Moscow Parade Zelensky said he would determine Ukraine’s next steps after receiving evening reports from the military and intelligence services. The two later took part in a press conference organized by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and described the recruitment process and said they were “exploited.” Wang said he was recruited on TikTok and paid to join the Russian military , while Zhang said he traveled to Russia to join the Russian military. Both expressed regret about joining the war and said they were deceived by propaganda. “Internationally, it is said that China and Russia are friends, therefore Chinese people see Russia… first of all, we trust them. Because of this trust, we were exploited,” Zhang said. While Beijing has not officially endorsed Russia’s war in Ukraine, it remains a major material backer of Moscow, with Russian officials admitting that “90%” of drone electronics come from China in a leaked call . In July 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi allegedly told the EU’s top diplomat in a closed-door meeting that Beijing cannot abide a Russian defeat in Ukraine. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.