Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that two Chinese citizens have been captured while fighting in eastern Ukraine. He mentioned that Ukrainian forces fought with six Chinese soldiers, and two of them were taken as prisoners. He also said he has asked his officials to get an explanation from the Chinese government.

"We have information that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier's units than just two. We are now finding out all the facts," said Zelenskyy. China is a friend of Russia and has been accused of supporting its war in Ukraine, but Beijing has repeatedly denied claims that it has given weapons to Russian forces.

"Russia's involvement of China in this war in Europe, directly or indirectly, is a clear signal that Putin is going to do anything but end the war," Zelenskyy said. "He is looking for ways to continue the war." President Zelenskyy said that China has taken Russia's side in the war against Ukraine, and he expects the United States to respond to this.

So far, China has not made any comment on this. People from different countries have joined the Russian army during the war, usually because they were promised a lot of money. However, this does not mean their countries are officially involved in the war. North Korea has also sent thousands of its soldiers to help Russia. After Zelenskyy's announcement, Ukraine's foreign minister said he had called China's diplomat to explain the situation. He mentioned on social media that the presence of Chinese citizens in Russia raises doubts about China’s claim of supporting peace. Last night, Zelenskyy confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian troops are operating in Russia's Belgorod region.

He described the actions as "just", adding, "war must return to where it came from". Regional governor Alexander Khinshtein said that Russian forces are close to taking back control of the Kursk region, following a surprise attack by Ukraine several months ago. He said that Russian troops have already captured the settlement of Guyevo. According to the Russian news agency TASS, only two settlements—Gornal and Oleshnya—remain to be recaptured for Russia to fully regain the region.