Manila: The Ukraine Embassy in Manila has firmly rejected Russia's assertion that certain entities are recruiting Filipino nationals to join Ukrainian forces in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

According to Philippines News Agency, the embassy labeled the claim as "baseless fabrication" and part of "Russian propaganda" targeted at Southeast Asia. The embassy stated, "We reject and refute the baseless fabrications of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the alleged recruitment of Filipino nationals to participate in hostilities on the side of Ukraine."

The embassy emphasized that these claims are unfounded and do not align with reality. It suggested that such insinuations could be part of a "systematic disinformation campaign" by Russia aimed at discrediting Ukraine and its defense forces.

Earlier reports indicated that Ukraine had encountered similar "Russian fake news" about supposed recruitment in South Korea, which was officially debunked. The embassy remarked, "Now, Russian propagandists have decided to spread another fabricated story in the Philippines. This demonstrates a deliberate focus of Russian propaganda on the states of Southeast Asia."

The embassy reiterated that the relationship between the Philippines and Ukraine is based on mutual respect and trust. "Ukraine and the Philippines enjoy strong, friendly, and dynamic bilateral relations built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to international law," it stated. This relationship was reaffirmed during a recent telephone conversation between the Presidents of the two countries.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova recently claimed that representatives of an American security company had initiated a campaign in the Philippines to recruit local citizens for the Ukrainian army. She alleged that recruits would receive a Schengen work visa from the German embassy in Manila and be transferred to European countries, including Poland and Ukraine, upon arriving in Germany.

However, German Ambassador to the Philippines, Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, categorically denied these claims, dismissing them as "baseless allegations." He clarified that Schengen visas do not permit employment in the Schengen area and that the German embassy only issues work visas for jobs in Germany.