Ukraine Embassy Denies Russian Claims of Filipino Recruitment for Ukrainian Forces

The Embassy of Ukraine in Manila has categorically dismissed statements from a Russian official claiming that Filipino citizens are being enlisted to join Ukrainian military efforts amid the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

In a statement released on Friday, November 28, the embassy rejected the accusations made by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, describing them as "baseless and have no factual foundation."

"We reject and refute the baseless fabrications of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the alleged recruitment of Filipino nationals to participate in hostilities on the side of Ukraine. These claims have no factual foundation whatsoever and do not correspond to reality," the statement emphasized.

The clarification responded directly to remarks by Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, who asserted that an American security firm had launched a recruitment drive in the Philippines to enlist locals for the Ukrainian army. Zakharova further claimed that recruits were promised a monthly salary of approximately $5,000 (around PHP 293,000) and would receive training from American instructors in San Fernando.

Ukraine's embassy dismissed these assertions as deliberate misinformation, asserting that such narratives form part of a coordinated Russian disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Ukraine and its armed forces. The embassy cited similar unfounded reports concerning recruitment efforts in South Korea as evidence of this strategy.

"Now Russian propagandists have decided to spread another fabricated story in the Philippines. This demonstrates a deliberate focus of Russian propaganda on the states of Southeast Asia," the embassy added.

Furthermore, the Ukraine Embassy urged governments and international partners to exercise caution and responsibility in handling information to prevent the spread of falsehoods intended to destabilize trust and peace.

The embassy reaffirmed the strong, friendly, and dynamic bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Philippines, grounded in mutual respect, trust, and commitment to international law. This was underscored by a recent telephone conversation between the presidents of both nations, emphasizing their ongoing collaboration and partnership.