President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese men fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine, potentially threatening a fragile peace effort in the three-year-old war.

Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting for the Russian army in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. He said on Tuesday that intelligence suggested the number of Chinese soldiers in Russia's army was "much higher than two".

The involvement of Chinese nationals in Russia’s war against Ukraine appears to be part of a “systemic” recruitment effort organized by Moscow, not isolated incidents, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 10.

China reaffirmed its support on Thursday for peace efforts in Ukraine and said relevant parties should avoid "irresponsible remarks", in an apparent jab at President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's comment about Chinese citizens fighting there for Russia.

The two captured Chinese citizen's passports were displayed in the video shared by Zelensky Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says at least 155 Chinese citizens are fighting for Russia in the war.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Ukrainian intelligence had information about 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military against Ukraine.

Following the capture of two Chinese nationals fighting on the Russian side in Ukraine, Kiev has intensified its accusations against the government in Beijing. These are not isolated cases, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed in his evening video message on Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 150 Chinese men were fighting for Russia in Ukraine, hours after China dismissed claims that many of its citizens were involved in the war.