Russia adds Zelensky to list of ‘wanted’ criminals, Ukraine calls it an act of ‘desperation’

As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues and Kremlin troops continue to attack Ukraine, Russia’s Interior Ministry on Saturday announced that they have added a new name to Moscow’s ‘wanted criminals’ list – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The New York Times reports that Zelensky has been added to the “wanted” list “under an article of the criminal code”, a claim the embattled president has denied.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, termed Russia’s move an act of “desperation” and described it as mere propaganda designed to “attract attention.”

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Ukraine’s Ground Forces commander, Oleksandr Pavlyuk, have also been added to Moscow’s “wanted” list, The Kyiv Independent reports.

Additionally, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov are also on the list.

On the other hand, a statement from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said that the arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin by the International Criminal Court (ICC) is genuine and not useless as per Russian declarations, adding that the warrant is in force in 123 countries. Is.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said, “We would like to remind everyone that, contrary to idle Russian declarations, the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for the arrest of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges is genuine and enforceable in 123 countries. is capable.”

Meanwhile, in his video address, Zelensky reported at least five assassination attempts since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.