KATHMANDU, Oct. 24 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia is using citizens from 47 countries, including Nepal, in its war and urged governments to prevent their nationals from becoming involved in the conflict.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Zelenskyy alleged that Russia has been bringing citizens of various countries into the country through deception and promises of various incentives before deploying them to the battlefield.

He said citizens from Nepal, Ghana, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan and South Africa, among other countries, are involved in Russia’s war.

“Russia is using citizens of 47 countries in its war,” Zelenskyy said.

According to Zelenskyy, some foreign nationals have been taken to Russia against their will or after being deceived and subsequently sent to the battlefield.

He also claimed that non-Russian citizens have been killed in the war and urged the governments of the countries concerned to take steps to protect their nationals.

“They are your citizens. Take care of them,” Zelenskyy told representatives attending the General Assembly.

He urged governments to prevent their citizens from being recruited into the Russian military and subsequently sent to the battlefield.

Zelenskyy also accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of attempting to draw other countries into the war. He called on representatives of the countries concerned to prevent their citizens from becoming involved in the conflict, saying, “Do not let Putin drag you into this war.”

Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine has evidence regarding the use of foreign nationals by the Russian military. He claimed that videos obtained from Ukrainian drones show foreign nationals reaching the battlefield and being killed.

His remarks have once again brought the issue of the possible involvement of Nepali citizens in the Russia-Ukraine war to an international forum.

Nepal has previously maintained that its citizens should not be recruited into foreign armies and has been making diplomatic efforts to bring back Nepalis who have joined the Russian military.

However, Zelenskyy did not disclose how many Nepali citizens are allegedly involved in the Russian war. He also did not provide a country-by-country breakdown of the 47 countries mentioned in his address.