President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian troops had captured two Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces.

He said Kiev would demand an explanation from Beijing and a reaction from allies, AFP reported.

Moscow and Beijing have deepened their political, military and economic cooperation since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

"Our military has captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting alongside the Russian army. This happened on the territory of Ukraine - in the Donetsk region. We have the documents of these captives, bank cards and personal data," Zelensky wrote in a social media post that included a video of one of the alleged Chinese captives.

China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the conflict. Beijing says it is not sending lethal aid to either side, unlike the United States and other Western countries.

However, it is a close political and economic ally of Russia, and NATO members have branded China a “crucial supporter” of Moscow's invasion, which it has never condemned.

Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has pushed for a quick end to the more than three-year-old war, but his administration has failed to achieve a breakthrough despite rounds of negotiations.

Kiev has repeatedly urged Beijing to pressure Moscow to end its invasion, which has cost tens of thousands of lives, yet the Kremlin has so far failed to achieve its main goals.

Zelensky said Kiev has evidence that “many more Chinese citizens” are fighting alongside Russian forces.

“I have instructed Ukraine's foreign minister to immediately contact Beijing and find out how China will react to this,” he said.

The Ukrainian president explained that the capture of the two men and China's involvement in the Russian invasion was “a clear signal that Putin will do anything but end the war.”

Zelensky demanded “a reaction from the United States, Europe and everyone in the world who wants peace” in his post.

Ukraine is urging its Western partners to respond to Russia's deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers in the western Kursk region, where Kiev has struggled to hold its ground since launching an offensive there last August. | BGNES