Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has named Kenya among 47 countries whose citizens he claims Russia is using in its war against Ukraine. Zelenskyy made the remarks while delivering Ukraine's national statement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. He urged governments to protect their nationals from being drawn into the conflict. The countries listed by Zelenskyy include Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan, and South Africa.
According to Zelenskyy, some foreign nationals had ended up in Russia through deception and tricks, while others had subsequently been deployed to the battlefield. He said Ukraine had evidence of foreign nationals dying in combat. Zelenskyy's remarks come amid continued international attention on the recruitment of foreign nationals into Russia's military as the war with Ukraine enters another year.
The Ukrainian president did not provide a country-by-country breakdown of the 47 countries or give the number of Kenyans he was referring to in his address. Reports from other countries have documented cases of foreign nationals being recruited into the Russian armed forces. Kenya has previously been linked to concerns over its nationals traveling to Russia for employment opportunities before reports that some later became involved in the war.
Zelenskyy used his address to urge the affected governments to act to prevent their citizens from becoming involved in the conflict. He said, "Take care of them, and do not let them end up on another front." He also called on countries to restrict Moscow's ability to finance and prosecute the war. Zelenskyy's appeal comes as world leaders gather in New York for the annual UN meeting, with the Russia-Ukraine war remaining one of the major issues before the international community.
For Kenya, the mention comes as President William Ruto attends the UN General Assembly in New York, where he has been leading the country's delegation and delivering Kenya's national statement. The Kenyan Government has not provided a public figure for the number of Kenyans Zelenskyy said were involved in Russia's military operations. Zelenskyy's warning nevertheless adds an international dimension to concerns over Kenyans who may have traveled to Russia and subsequently become involved in the conflict.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly used international forums to call for greater pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine, while Moscow has maintained its own position on the war and its military objectives. His latest intervention puts the issue of foreign recruitment before governments whose citizens he says are involved. The Ukrainian president's remarks have sparked concerns over the involvement of foreign nationals in the conflict.
The issue of foreign nationals fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war remains a pressing concern for the international community. Zelenskyy's call to action urges governments to take responsibility for their citizens and prevent them from getting involved in the conflict. The international community will be watching to see how governments respond to Zelenskyy's appeal and take steps to address the issue of foreign nationals fighting in the war.
Key points
- Ukraine claims Russia is using citizens of 47 countries, including Kenya, in its war against Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy urges governments to protect their nationals from being drawn into the conflict.
- The issue of foreign nationals fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war remains a pressing concern for the international community.
