Iraq sets up commission to combat recruitment of citizens into Russian army
Photo: meeting of representatives of Iraq and Ukraine (KHOCHU ZHYTY Telegram channel)
The Government of Iraq will establish a special commission to investigate and halt the recruitment of Iraqi youth for participation in the war against Ukraine, according to the Khochu Zhyty project.
As Tarek Kazem, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Iraq in Ukraine, stated during a meeting with the Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Brigadier General Dmytro Usov, official Baghdad is concerned about cases of Iraqi citizens being recruited into the Russian army.
To address the issue, Iraq is establishing a separate commission that will operate in cooperation with the country’s Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq.
The Iraqi side also emphasized that national legislation предусматривает severe penalties for mercenarism, including life imprisonment.
In addition, diplomats reaffirmed Iraq’s principled commitment to neutrality and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, as enshrined in the country’s constitution.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials reminded that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regularly urges citizens of third countries to avoid, by all possible means, joining the Russian occupation army.
Africans fighting in Ukraine on Russia's side
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has called on African countries to take decisive measures to halt Russian recruitment schemes targeting young people across the continent.
According to the ministry, more than 1,400 citizens of African states are currently fighting on Russia’s side.
In early January, Ukrainian troops captured an African mercenary near Lyman in the Donetsk region. The Ugandan national claimed he signed the contract at gunpoint.
Earlier, in April 2025, Ukrainian forces captured another African mercenary in a Russian army uniform in the Donetsk region.
