Russia adds Zelensky to ‘wanted’ list of criminals

Russia has added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to its list of wanted criminals, which Kyiv has described as proof of Moscow’s “desperation.”.

Zelensky’s name surfaced on Saturday on the Russian interior ministry’s “wanted” list, which is an internet database of alleged criminals wanted by Russian authorities.

It stated that the Ukrainian leader was wanted “under an article of the criminal code” but did not provide any further information.

Russian officials made no quick remark on why Zelensky had been put on the list.

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

Moscow has targeted Zelensky since February 2022, when Russia launched its military intervention in Ukraine.

Last year, the Ukrainian president stated that he was aware of at least “five or six” unsuccessful assassination attempts on his life.

The day after sending troops into Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation, urging the Ukrainian army to depose Zelensky.

Russia has added several international politicians and popular figures to its wanted list, which includes tens of thousands of names.

Oleksandr Pavliuk, commander of Ukraine’s Land Forces, and Petro Poroshenko, former Ukrainian president, were both listed in the online database on Saturday.

In February, Moscow announced it was looking for Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for what it called the “desecration of historical memory” over the Baltic country’s decision to dismantle Soviet-era monuments.

Last year, the International Criminal Court ordered Putin’s arrest on war crimes allegations stemming from the abduction of Ukrainian children, which Moscow denied.