KYIV (AFP) — President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Ukrainian troops had captured two Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian forces, with Kyiv demanding an explanation from Beijing.

Moscow and Beijing have in recent years boasted of their “no limits” partnership and deepened political, military and economic cooperation since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began 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 that included a video of one of the alleged Chinese prisoners.

The video showed a man wearing military fatigues with his hands bound, mimicking sounds from combat and uttering a small number of words in Mandarin, during an apparent interview with a Ukrainian official not pictured.

At one point he is heard saying the word “commander.”

A senior Ukrainian official told Agence France-Presse that the prisoners were likely Chinese citizens who were enticed into signing a contract with the Russian army, rather than being sent by Beijing.

They were captured “a few days ago,” the source said, adding there may be more of them.

“Nothing is completely clear yet. When they are delivered to the SBU (Ukraine’s security service) and at least interrogated, we will understand,” the source added.

The source sent images of ID cards linked to one of the prisoners, which showed the date of his birth as 4 June 1991, and said he belonged to the Han ethnicity -- the majority ethnic group in China.

‘Clear signal’

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on social media that China’s charge d’affaires had been summoned for an explanation.

“Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russia’s invasion army in Ukraine puts into question China’s declared stance for peace and undermines Beijing’s credibility as a responsible permanent member of the United Nations Security Council,” Sybiga said.

China presents itself as a neutral party in the conflict and says it is not sending lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations.

Zelensky said Kyiv had evidence that “many more Chinese citizens” are fighting alongside Russian forces and that he had instructed his foreign minister to find out how China intends to respond.

He said the capture of the two men was “a clear signal” that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is going to do anything but end the war.”

China on Wednesday rejected as “absolutely groundless” claims by Kyiv that “many” Chinese citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine.

Lin Jian said in Beijing, “The Chinese side is verifying relevant information with the Ukrainian side,” Lin said, adding: “the Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict (and) avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form.”

Washington voiced alarm at the capture of two Chinese citizens, saying it showed Beijing’s level of support for Russia.