President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukrainian troops had captured two Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian forces, adding that Kyiv would demand an explanation from Beijing and a reaction from allies.
Moscow and Beijing have deepened political, military and economic cooperation since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
“Our military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army. This happened on the territory of Ukraine – in the Donetsk region,” Zelensky said in a post on social media.
“We have the documents of these prisoners, bank cards, and personal data,” Zelensky said in a post on social media that included a video of one of the alleged Chinese prisoners.
China presents itself as a neutral party in the conflict and says it is not sending lethal help to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations.
But it was a close political and economic ally of Russia and Nato members had branded Beijing a “decisive enabler” of Moscow’s invasion, which it never condemned.
US President Donald Trump has been pushing for a speedy end to the more than three-year war since taking office, but his administration has failed to reach a breakthrough despite rounds of negotiations.