Ukraine denies recruitment of Filipinos in conflict against Russia

The Embassy of Ukraine in the Philippines has denied the recruitment of Filipinos to fight on its side in its conflict with Russia.

In a statement, the Ukrainian embassy said the claims had "no factual foundation and did not correspond to reality."

"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," the statement read.

"Ukraine and the Philippines enjoy strong, friendly, and dynamic bilateral relations built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to international law. This was reaffirmed just yesterday during the telephone conversation between the Presidents of the two countries," it added.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has been quoted as saying that the US has been hiring Filipinos "for participation in the hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces."

Those who are hired are reportedly given Schengen visas at the German Embassy in Manila.

"The Russian insinuation concerning the Philippines is not accidental; it is part of a systematic disinformation campaign by the Russian Federation aimed at discrediting Ukraine and its Defense Forces," the Ukrainian embassy said.

"Just days ago, we 'caught' a similar Russian fake about supposed 'recruitment' in the Republic of Korea — and officially debunked it. Now Russian propagandists have decided to spread another fabricated story in the Philippines," it added. –NB, GMA Integrated News