Ukrainian Embassy In Austria Trying To Recruit Mercenaries For War Against Russia

JAKARTA - The Ukrainian Embassy in Austria received a warning in the form of a notification of violations of the law, related to efforts to recruit mercenaries.

Austria's top diplomat confirmed in response to a parliamentary request, that the Ukrainian Embassy in the country is trying to recruit mercenaries on the social network, the Russian Embassy in Austria quoted Ambassador Dmitry Lyubinsky as saying on its Telegram channel.

The Kleine Zeitung newspaper reported that Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg confirmed in his response to a parliamentary request, made by the Austrian Freedom Party,

"In early March, the Ukrainian Embassy in Vienna attempted to recruit Austrian mercenaries to fight against Russia, through its Facebook account," the Russian Embassy said, TASS reported on May 18.

"In response, the Head of Protocol of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with reference to Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, immediately notified the Ukrainian Ambassador, the act violates Austrian law."

"The call was quickly removed from the embassy's web page. None of its staff with diplomatic immunity was punished," the Russian diplomat continued.

According to the embassy, the swift response to the matter was the result of Russia's "timely reaction" and "firm protests" expressed by the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

It is known that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense established a special unit, the International Legion, for foreign fighters who wish to join the fight against Russia.

More than 20,000 volunteers and veterans from 52 countries have expressed their desire to join the fighting from March 7, according to Brigadier General Kyrylo Budanov, commander of the Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, which will run the legion.