Zelenskyy Tells UN Russia Using Citizens of India, 46 Other Countries in Ukraine War
The Ukrainian president said foreign nationals, including Indians, have been captured or killed while fighting for Russia and urged governments to prevent further recruitment.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 24: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the UN General Assembly that Russia is using citizens from 47 countries in its war against Ukraine, including nationals from India, and appealed to governments to prevent their citizens from being drawn into the conflict.
Addressing the General Debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had received prisoners of war from several countries and was aware of foreign nationals dying while fighting alongside Russian forces.
“We know that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in its war,” Zelenskyy said, naming India, Nepal, Ghana, Tajikistan, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan and South Africa among the countries whose nationals have allegedly been involved.
He said some foreign nationals had reached Russia through what he described as deception and misleading recruitment practices. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine has also received requests from governments seeking the return of their citizens who were captured as prisoners of war.
Addressing representatives of the countries directly, the Ukrainian president urged them to protect their nationals and prevent further recruitment into the conflict.
Zelenskyy also called on governments to maintain pressure on Moscow through sanctions and restrictions on trade, arguing that Russia’s revenues provide resources for continuing military operations.
He said international support for Ukraine, including sanctions, assistance packages and cooperation in weapons production, remained important to Kyiv’s ability to resist Russian attacks.
The Ukrainian president also criticised Russia’s use of its veto power at the UN Security Council, arguing that disagreements at the international organisation have repeatedly complicated diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
Zelenskyy’s remarks come as the issue of Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces remains a matter of discussion between New Delhi and Moscow.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said earlier this month that the matter had been raised with Russia at different levels. He said India had information on 227 Indian nationals who had been recruited into the Russian army.
According to Misri, 139 of those individuals had subsequently been discharged. He also said India had received information that 51 Indian nationals had died.
The Indian government has repeatedly engaged Russian authorities over the release and repatriation of Indian citizens who were recruited into the Russian military. New Delhi has maintained that Indian nationals should not be involved in the conflict and has sought their early discharge.
Zelenskyy said foreign governments should pay close attention to how their citizens are being recruited and prevent them from becoming involved in the fighting.
He further argued that continued economic engagement with Russia could provide Moscow with additional resources for its military campaign. According to Zelenskyy, reducing Russian revenues would place additional pressure on the Kremlin.
The Ukrainian president also criticised what he described as efforts to ease sanctions targeting Russian individuals and entities, saying such measures could extend the conflict by preserving financial resources available to Moscow.
The claims made by Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly come amid continuing international efforts to address the recruitment of foreign nationals into the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The circumstances surrounding individual foreign fighters vary, and the figures cited by governments may differ depending on whether they include recruits, military personnel, prisoners of war or people who have died.
For India, the issue remains particularly sensitive as authorities continue efforts to secure the release of citizens who were recruited into the Russian armed forces and to bring back those who have been discharged.
Zelenskyy’s appeal at the UN placed the recruitment of foreign nationals alongside his broader call for governments to maintain diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia while supporting Ukraine.
The war has continued to involve personnel and resources from outside Ukraine and Russia, making the treatment and repatriation of foreign nationals an additional issue for governments dealing with the conflict.
