Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Kenya and 46 other nations to protect their citizens from recruitment into Russia’s war in Ukraine. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), Zelenskyy specifically named Kenya among the countries being targeted by Russia for its military operations.

• Ukraine has seen foreign nationals among those killed on the battlefield, with some reportedly recruited deceptively.
• President Zelenskyy directly appealed to representatives of the 47 concerned countries to take action and prevent their citizens from being drawn into the conflict.
• This appeal follows concerns in Kenya, where a National Intelligence Service (NIS) report estimated about 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited by February, with 89 on the frontline.