Zelenskyy Says Russia Uses Citizens of 47 Countries in War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the United Nations General Assembly that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries, including India, in its war against Ukraine, and urged governments to protect their nationals from being drawn into the fighting. His claims about recruitment methods and battlefield deaths were not independently verified in the reports reviewed. Speaking at the General Debate of the Assembly’s 81st session on Wednesday, September 23, Zelenskyy said foreign nationals had reached Russia through what he called “deception and tricks.” He named India, Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus and Sudan among the countries whose citizens he said were involved. He appealed to representatives to take steps to protect their citizens and prevent them from ending up on another front. Indian government figures cited by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri show that 227 Indian nationals had been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Of those, 139 had been discharged and 51 had died, Misri said. India has been discussing the issue with Moscow and seeking the release and return of its nationals, according to the statements reported.