"During the hostilities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the Russian army recruits foreign citizens into the war. According to the information provided by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan were found in the units of the Russian forces located in the temporarily occupied city of Gorlovka, Donetsk region.

These people illegally crossed the Ukrainian border and came to carry out construction works in territory of Ukraine, temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation.  Upon their arrival in Mariupol (Ukraine), their passports were confiscated and these citizens were mobilised as volunteers in the Russian Federation forces" informs the embassy. 

The embassy calls on the citizens of Uzbekistan not to participate in the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and not to go to the temporarily occupied territories. Violators of these rules will be prosecuted in accordance with the norms of the national legislation of Ukraine and international law.

Earlier, social media reported that Uzbeks involved in the construction of Mariupol had their passports confiscated and later were mobilised as "volunteers" for the war. So far, the Uzbek side has not reacted in any way.