(14 Apr 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyiv, Ukraine – 14 April 2025
1. Wide of Security Service of Ukraine servicemen walking with Chinese prisoners of war into news conference room
2. Close of handcuff on POW’s hands
3. Close of Security Service of Ukraine servicemen taking off handcuff from the POW’s hands
4. Wide of Chinese prisoners of war sitting in news conference room
5. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Artem Dekhtiarenko, Security Service of Ukraine spokesperson:
"After providing emergency assistance, both foreigners were transferred to the Security Service of Ukraine for the necessary investigative and procedural actions. They were transported to Kyiv. Here, they were received in proper conditions that comply with the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. I would also like to emphasize that this news conference is taking place with the consent of the prisoners themselves. This meets the requirements of international law. Today, investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine have already conducted the first interrogations and we can state the fact that both citizens of the PRC (People’s Republic of China) joined the Russian Armed Forces by signing the relevant contracts."
6. Close of Security Service of Ukraine servicemen
7. Mid of translator
8. Close of Security Service of Ukraine spokesperson Artem Dekhtiarenko
9. Close of POW speaking
10. Close of cameraman
11. Mid of Security Service of Ukraine servicemen
12. Various of Security Service of Ukraine servicemen leaving conference room with prisoners of war
STORYLINE:
Two Chinese nationals, who were captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting on the Russian side, spoke at a news conference in Kyiv on Monday.
Spokesperson for the Security Service of Ukraine, Artem Dekhtiarenko, stated that the two men consented to appear at the news conference.
However, The Associated Press cannot independently confirm this or the conditions under which they spoke.
Video of the news conference was filmed in a manner that conceals the men’s identities, as AP does not routinely show prisoners of war.
The Chinese nationals said that they had joined the war voluntarily after seeing recruitment announcements on TikTok and that they weren’t encouraged or supported by Chinese authorities, who had warned them about the danger of participating in the conflict.
One of the men, speaking through an interpreter, said he did not intend to take part directly in combat but was sent to the front lines anyway.
Another said that Russian recruiters abused his trust and put him in what he described as a “trap”.
They said they were given orders through gestures and hand signals, and Russian personnel constantly accompanied them, leaving no chance for escape.
Both said they hope to be included in a future prisoner exchange and return to their families.
It was impossible for the AP to corroborate their statements or independently verify under what circumstances the two men spoke.
When he first announced the capture of the Chinese nationals last week, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said there were more than 150 other Chinese fighting for Russia.
Beijing responded that it always asks its citizens to avoid participating in any military operations.
While China has provided strong diplomatic support for Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it is not believed to have knowingly provided Russia with troops, weapons or military expertise.
AP Video by Vasilia Stepanenko
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