Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that his army had captured two Chinese soldiers allegedly fighting for the Russian army in eastern Ukraine for the first time.
"Our troops have captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting in the Russian army," Zelenskyy stated on social media, demanding explanations from Beijing and a "response" from Western nations, including the United States.
He also released a short video showing one of the alleged Chinese soldiers.
"We have information that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupying forces than just two," he added.
Zelenskyy said he had asked his foreign minister to “make immediate contact with Beijing” to obtain an explanation and demanded that the West react.
"There absolutely must be a reaction to this. A reaction from the United States, Europe and all those in the world who want peace" in Ukraine, the Ukrainian president insisted.
China's involvement in this war in Europe, directly or indirectly, is a clear signal that (Vladimir) Putin will do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to keep fighting’, he continued.
He also published a short video of one of these alleged Chinese soldiers. In the video, a young man in fatigues with Asian features and bound hands can be seen gesticulating, apparently to describe a fight. He can be heard saying the word ‘commander’ in English.
Zelenskyy stated at a press conference that a total of six Chinese soldiers had engaged in combat with Ukrainian soldiers near the village of Bilogorivka.
