Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly that Russia was recruiting citizens from 47 countries for the war in Ukraine, including people from India. He alleged that citizens were brought to Russia through deception and later sent to the battlefield.
India's foreign ministry says 227 Indian citizens joined the Russian army. Of those, 139 have been discharged, while 51 have died. The Indian government is in talks with Russia to secure the return of the remaining Indian citizens.
Zelenskyy calls for pressure on Russia
Zelenskyy said Russia was trying to expand its hold in Ukraine by putting more people into the war. He urged other countries to increase pressure on Moscow and reduce its ability to continue fighting.
He also appealed to India, China and Türkiye to cut energy trade with Russia. According to Zelenskyy, lower energy purchases would increase pressure on Moscow to stop the war. He separately called for restrictions on Russia's earnings as part of efforts to weaken its war capacity.
North Korea allegations
Zelenskyy accused North Korea of supporting Russia by sending soldiers. He said North Korea was receiving modern military technology in return, including assistance linked to ballistic missiles and drones.
He also said Ukraine had sent 2 North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. Zelenskyy said capturing the 2 soldiers alive had not been easy.
Warning over energy facilities
Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine could target Russia's heating and energy facilities if Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure continue during winter. His comments came as the United States was seeking an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on energy facilities.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said that Washington is trying to negotiate an agreement to halt such attacks.
Other UN General Assembly remarks
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also addressed the UN General Assembly. He arrived with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and showed graphs of children who had died. He said Iran had not carried out an attack in 200 years.
Conclusion
Zelenskyy's UN remarks combined allegations about foreign recruitment into Russia's army with calls for stronger economic pressure and a warning over attacks on energy infrastructure. India is continuing discussions with Russia about the return of its remaining citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many countries did Zelenskyy say Russia recruited citizens from?
Zelenskyy said Russia recruited citizens from 47 countries.
Q. How many Indian citizens joined the Russian army?
India's foreign ministry says 227 Indian citizens joined the Russian army.
Q. How many Indian citizens were discharged?
The foreign ministry says 139 Indian citizens have been discharged from the Russian army.
Q. How many Indian citizens died?
The foreign ministry says 51 Indian citizens died.
Q. What is India doing for the remaining citizens?
The Indian government is negotiating with Russia to bring back the remaining Indian citizens.
Q. What did Zelenskyy ask India, China and Türkiye to do?
He urged the 3 countries to reduce their energy trade with Russia.
Q. What warning did Zelenskyy issue about energy facilities?
He warned that Ukraine could target Russian heating and energy facilities if attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure continue during winter.
Q. What did Zelenskyy say about North Korea?
He accused North Korea of sending soldiers to support Russia and receiving military technology in return.
