Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said that Ukrainian captivity holds citizens of 51 countries who fought on Russia's side. He made the statement at a meeting of heads of Ukraine's foreign diplomatic missions titled "Restoring Peace and Ukraine's Leadership."
"Foreigners from 51 countries were taken prisoner in Ukraine while fighting as part of the army of Russian occupiers. That is why it is important to speak honestly and openly with the world that participation in the war on Russia's side has real legal consequences," Lubinets said, as quoted by Current Time.
In late May, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry reported that hundreds of foreigners from more than 48 countries were in captivity, having been drawn into the war by Russia through deception and financial manipulation. According to BBC data, as of early July, at least 3,589 foreigners had died fighting for Russia.
Summarizing the same meeting, Lubinets said that more than 8.4 million Ukrainian citizens live abroad. He said Ukraine's duty is to ensure that each of them knows that Ukraine remembers them and is ready to protect their rights.
More than 5 million Ukrainians have received temporary protection in the EU. Eurostat noted in July that 4.38 million Ukrainian refugees are under temporary protection in the European Union. The largest numbers live in Germany — 1.283 million, Poland — 967,500, and Spain — 267,400.
Lubinets also reminded that thousands of Ukrainians remain in Russian captivity, and more than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been illegally taken to Russia. According to the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, about 27–28 million people currently live in territory controlled by Kyiv.