ZELENSKYY SAYS RUSSIA USING CITIZENS OF 47 COUNTRIES IN UKRAINE WAR

September 24, 2026

UNITED NATIONS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that Russia is using citizens from 47 countries, including India, in its war against Ukraine and urged the governments concerned to protect their nationals from being drawn further into the conflict.

Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Zelenskyy named India, Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus and Sudan among the countries whose citizens he said were involved in the fighting. He alleged that some foreign nationals reached Russia through what he described as “deception and tricks”.

Zelenskyy directly appealed to the governments of the 47 countries to prevent their citizens from being sent to the battlefield. He also called for continued economic pressure on Russia, arguing that restrictions on Moscow’s revenues could affect its ability to finance the war.

India has separately acknowledged that its nationals have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said earlier this month that India had information on 227 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian military, of whom 139 had been discharged and 51 had died. New Delhi has said it continues to engage with Moscow regarding the release and repatriation of Indian nationals still serving there.