Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov has said that Ukrainian diplomatic missions are engaged in recruiting mercenaries to fight against Russian forces amid Moscow's ongoing special operation in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he stressed that the situation has been "aggravated by the influx of foreign mercenaries from the countries of Europe and the Middle East" into Ukraine.
According to him, in violation of international law, the mercenaries "are recruited, among other things, by Ukrainian diplomatic missions".
The statement comes after Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told reporters last month that up to 180 foreign mercenaries had been killed in high-precision strikes carried out by Russian forces against Ukrainian training centres located at the Yavorovsky military compound and near the settlement of Starichi.
Earlier in March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that 16,000 foreign mercenaries are going to fight for Ukraine.
Moscow has repeatedly called on foreign countries to prevent their citizens from travelling to Ukraine in order to join the hostilities there as the Russian armed forces conduct a special military operation in the country. The Kremlin noted that anyone attacking Russian troops would be considered a valid target.
The special operation was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 24 February, following a request from the newly recognised Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR). He insisted that Moscow was left with no other choice after Kiev failed to implement the Minsk peace agreements and following the Ukrainian Army's continued attacks against the Donbass republics.