On Wednesday, China announced that it is collaborating with Ukrainian authorities to confirm President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s assertion that two Chinese nationals were apprehended in Ukraine.

Two Chinese soldiers serving in the Russian army were recently detained in Ukraine, Zelenskyy revealed on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy also disclosed that intelligence indicated there were “much more” Chinese soldiers in Russia’s army than the two fighters who were taken prisoner.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson responded Wednesday, telling reporters that “China is verifying the information with the Ukrainian side.”

The spokesperson asserted that the Chinese government consistently counsels its citizens to “avoid any kind of involvement in armed conflict, stay away from areas of armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any party’s military operations.”