Russia's Value Of Ukraine Violates Convention On Diplomatic Relations Due To Recruiting Thousands Of Foreign Mercenaries

Illustration of Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield (Wikimedia Commons/Mil.gov.ua)

Russia said thousands of foreign mercenaries joined Ukraine on the battlefield, the majority said from the United States, were deemed to have violated international conventions.

The press office of the Russian Investigative Committee said in a statement on Thursday that more than 3,100 foreign mercenaries fought for Ukraine during Russia's special military operations and most of them came from the United States and Canada.

"Investigators have information about a total of more than 3,100 foreign mercenaries taking part in combat activities on the Ukrainian side and most of them are from the United States, Canada, Britain, and Georgia," the statement read.

The committee added that action was being taken to find their whereabouts and bring them to criminal responsibility.

Separately, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing that the Ukrainian Embassy violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by asking foreign nationals to join the Ukrainian Territorial Defense International Legion.

He pointed to media reports, which state that the Ukrainian Embassy in a number of countries has publicly campaigned for local citizens to join the so-called Ukrainian Territorial Defense International Legion. According to the diplomat, authorities in the host country have turned a blind eye to these practices or even encouraged them.

"Regarding Ukraine's own actions, it is clear that the recruitment of mercenaries exceeds the normal function of diplomatic missions. I would like to remind you that according to the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in 1961, the protection of state interests in the host country must be carried out within the limits permitted by international law," he explained.

Zakharova further stressed that, according to the Convention, diplomatic mission employees are obliged to respect the laws of the host country, including the norms of criminal law regarding the prohibition of mercenaries.

"Norms like that, as far as we know, are implemented in most Western countries. However, they really ignore it," he said.

He added that these countries also ignore their own laws and encourage Ukrainian embassies to carry out illegal activities on their territory.