Russia Places Zelensky On Criminal ‘Wanted’ List

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has been added to Russia’s list of wanted criminals.

However, Kyiv has dismissed the move, describing it as a sign of Moscow’s “desperation”.

Zelensky’s name appeared on Saturday on the Russian interior ministry’s “wanted” list, an online database of alleged criminals sought by the Russian authorities.

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It said the Ukrainian leader was wanted “under an article of the criminal code”, without providing further details.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the decision demonstrated “the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda, which are at a loss for what else to invent to garner attention”.

Zelensky has been targeted by Moscow since the start of Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine in February 2022.

The Ukrainian president said last year he was aware of at least “five or six” assassination attempts against him that had been foiled.

Russia has placed several foreign politicians and public figures on its wanted list, including the commander of Ukraine’s Land Forces, Oleksandr Pavliuk, and former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, who also appeared in the online database on Saturday.