Post by : Rohit Dhiman

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised the issue of foreign nationals being drawn into Russia’s war against Ukraine, specifically naming India among 47 countries whose citizens he said are being used in the conflict. Speaking during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Zelenskyy called on governments to protect their citizens and prevent them from being pulled further into the war. He alleged that some foreign nationals had reached Russia through deception and other misleading methods before becoming involved in military operations. The Ukrainian president said the issue extends beyond one nationality, pointing to citizens from countries including India, Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan and South Africa.

India Named Among 47 Countries

Zelenskyy said Russia was using citizens from 47 countries in the war. His remarks placed India among a wider group of nations whose nationals, according to his claim, have become involved in the conflict. The Ukrainian president directly addressed representatives of those countries at the UN and urged them to take steps to protect their nationals. He said foreign citizens were being placed in danger on the battlefield and argued that governments should prevent further recruitment. The comments come amid continuing concerns in India over reports of Indian nationals being recruited or taken to Russia under circumstances that later resulted in their involvement in the war.

Allegations of Deception and Recruitment

A central part of Zelenskyy’s remarks was his allegation that some foreign nationals reached Russia through what he described as “deception and tricks.” According to reports on his UN address, he said people from different countries were subsequently involved in fighting and that some had died on the battlefield. These claims were made by the Ukrainian president during a wider address focused on the Russia-Ukraine war and international efforts to pressure Moscow. The allegation of how individual nationals were recruited or transported can differ from case to case, so Zelenskyy’s broader claim should be distinguished from independently established details concerning specific Indian citizens.

Concerns Over Indian Nationals in Russia

The issue of Indian citizens becoming involved in the Russia Ukraine war has previously drawn attention in India, particularly in cases involving individuals who travelled to Russia after being offered jobs or other opportunities and later reported being associated with Russian military structures. Zelenskyy’s latest comments bring the issue into an international forum and place it within a broader discussion about foreign nationals participating in the conflict. Reports following his UN speech said India was among the countries whose citizens Zelenskyy claimed were being used by Russia. The Ukrainian president urged the countries concerned to act to protect their nationals.

Wider List Includes Asian, African and Other Nations

Zelenskyy did not describe the issue as limited to India. He named several countries from Asia, Africa and other regions while saying that Russia was using citizens from 47 nations. Among the countries specifically mentioned were Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan and South Africa. The Ukrainian president said the presence of foreign nationals in the war showed that the consequences of the conflict extended beyond Russia and Ukraine. The issue also comes against the backdrop of Russia’s military cooperation with foreign partners. Zelenskyy separately referred to North Korean personnel during his UN remarks, while AFP reported that he mentioned two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy Calls for Protection of Foreign Citizens

During his address, Zelenskyy appealed directly to governments whose citizens he said had become involved in the war. His message was that countries should take steps to prevent their nationals from being recruited and sent toward the battlefield. He also called for continued international pressure on Russia, including measures aimed at limiting Moscow’s resources for continuing the war. The comments were delivered as world leaders gathered in New York for the annual UN General Assembly, where the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict remains one of the major international security issues.

India-Ukraine Relations and the War

The latest remarks come weeks after Zelenskyy met India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Kyiv on September 3. According to the Ukrainian president’s office, the meeting covered peace efforts, security issues and bilateral cooperation. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine appreciated India’s stated interest in ending the war. India has maintained diplomatic engagement with both Russia and Ukraine while calling for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The question of Indian nationals becoming involved in the Russian military therefore adds another dimension to the broader India-Russia-Ukraine diplomatic discussion.

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What Zelenskyy Said at the United Nations

Zelenskyy’s central message was directed toward the governments of the 47 countries he said had nationals involved in Russia’s war. He urged them to protect their citizens and prevent them from being drawn further into the conflict. The statement has attracted attention in India because Indian nationals were explicitly included in the list. However, Zelenskyy’s figure of 47 countries and his allegations about recruitment were presented as claims by the Ukrainian president during his UN address.

What Did Zelenskyy Say About Indians in the Russian Military?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the UN General Assembly that Russia is using citizens from 47 countries, including India, in the war against Ukraine. He urged the countries involved to protect their nationals and alleged that some foreign citizens were brought to Russia through deception and later became involved in the conflict.

Zelenskyy’s UNGA Remarks on Indian Nationals

Zelenskyy made the remarks in New York during the 81st United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2026. India was among the countries he specifically named while discussing foreign nationals allegedly involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

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