The Ukraine Embassy in Manila has categorically denied Russia's allegation that Filipinos are being recruited to fight alongside Ukrainian troops. It described the claim as a baseless fabrication and part of Moscow's broader disinformation efforts in Southeast Asia. Germany also rejected similar assertions.
On Friday, November 28, the Ukraine Embassy in Manila issued a statement rejecting remarks by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. Zakharova claimed that a US-based security company was enlisting Filipino nationals for deployment to Ukraine, offering around US$5,000 or approximately P293,000 in monthly pay and training by American instructors in 'San Fernando'.
'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 embassy stated. It emphasized that the narrative is not accidental but part of a systematic disinformation campaign to discredit Ukraine and its defense forces.
Similar fabricated stories surfaced in South Korea, where posters in Seongnam urged locals to join Ukraine's military, but Kyiv dismissed them as Russian propaganda. 'Now, Russian propagandists have decided to spread another fabricated story in the Philippines,' the embassy said, highlighting a deliberate focus on Southeast Asian states.
Despite Moscow's claims, Ukraine affirmed solid ties with Manila, referencing a recent phone call between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 'Ukraine and the Philippines enjoy strong, friendly, and dynamic bilateral relations built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to international law,' it added.
Germany also dismissed Zakharova's assertion that Schengen visas issued in Manila facilitated the recruitment. German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke told reporters, 'We strictly refuse and deny those baseless allegations,' noting that Schengen visas cannot be used for employment and that no evidence supports Russia's claims.
While Moscow spreads falsehoods about Kyiv's recruitment, Ukrainian officials pointed out that Russia has drawn over 18,000 foreigners from 128 countries into its ranks, according to a CNN report. Nations including Kenya, India, Nepal, and South Africa have protested, as their citizens were lured with false promises of non-combat roles only to be sent to the front lines. The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, galvanizing international support for Kyiv.