Manila: Malaca±ang on Friday dismissed as 'fake news' the claim that the United States is recruiting Filipinos to fight in Ukraine's war. Citing the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) statement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Ukraine Embassy has already debunked the alleged recruitment.

According to Philippines News Agency, Claire Castro emphasized the falsity of the claims by quoting DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, who reiterated that the Ukraine Embassy has labeled the information as 'fake news'. The claims originated from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who alleged that representatives of an American security firm have been conducting a recruitment campaign in the Philippines to enlist local citizens for the Ukrainian army. This information was reported by the Russian news agency TASS on Thursday.

Zakharova further alleged that individuals who agree to such contracts are provided with a Schengen work visa through the consular section of the German Embassy in Manila. These individuals are purportedly listed as employees of 'Berlin-based private security companies.' She claimed that once in Germany, the recruits are transferred to other countries within the European Union, including Poland and Ukraine.

The German Embassy in Manila has since denied the allegations made by Moscow, refuting Zakharova's claims and adding another layer of dismissal to the narrative presented by the Russian spokesperson.