Russia puts Zelensky on “wanted” list

Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, is wanted. In turn, the President's Office, reacting to this, advised Russians to look for "common sense."

Rubryka reports this, referring to the Russian agency RIA Novosti and the comment of the press secretary of the President of Ukraine, Serhii Nikiforov.

Thus, the Russian agency RIA Novosti published a screenshot from the  Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs database about the wanted notice for Zelensky. According to the data, the reason for the wanted declaration was the alleged criminal case against Zelensky in Russia.

In a commentary to RBC-Ukraine, the Ukrainian president's spokesman advised the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs to "first search for conscience and common sense."

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Russia's move a "testimony of despair."

"Russian reports about the alleged announcement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is wanted are evidence of the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda, which do not know what other newsworthy excuse to invent to attract attention," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes.

They reminded that unlike "worthless Russian announcements," the warrant of the International Criminal Court for the arrest of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin on suspicion of war crimes is quite real and subject to execution in 123 countries of the world.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time Ukrainian officials have been declared wanted in the Russian Federation. Thus, in March, a court in Moscow arrested in absentia the head of Ukraine's security service, Vasyl Malyuk, for allegedly committing a terrorist act.

Among others are the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the head of Ukraine's intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, and the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Oleschuk.

In addition, some Ukrainian artists, including singer Jamala, are also wanted in Russia.