Ukraine’s President Zelensky added to Russia’s list of ‘wanted criminals’ | Global News

Russia has added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to its list of wanted criminals, sparking outrage and dismissal from Kyiv. The move, seen as a sign of Moscow’s “desperation”, has raised tensions between the two countries even further.

Zelensky’s name appeared on the Russian interior ministry’s “wanted” list over the weekend, with no specific details provided on the charges against him. The Ukrainian leader’s inclusion on the list was met with criticism from Ukraine’s foreign ministry, which denounced it as a desperate attempt by Russia to garner attention through propaganda.

This latest development comes amidst ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow targeting Zelensky since the start of its military offensive in February 2022. The Ukrainian president has previously revealed that there have been multiple assassination attempts against him, all of which were foiled.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also called for the Ukrainian army to overthrow Zelensky, further escalating tensions between the two nations. This move by Russia is not isolated, as several other foreign politicians and public figures have been added to its wanted list, including the commander of Ukraine’s Land Forces and former president Petro Poroshenko.

The international community has been closely monitoring the situation, with the International Criminal Court ordering the arrest of Putin on war crimes charges related to the abduction of Ukrainian children. Moscow has denied these accusations, further complicating the already tense relationship between Russia and Ukraine.