Russia signals no immunity for foreign fighters supporting Kyiv Warns Japan and Netherlands

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has warned that military equipment financed by Japan for Ukraine and foreign personnel involved in combat operations on Kyiv’s side could be treated as legitimate targets by Russian forces, according to statements made by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on February 18.

Speaking at a briefing, Zakharova said Japan’s participation in purchasing military equipment for the Ukrainian army, as well as the involvement of Dutch mercenaries piloting aircraft for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, is worsening already tense relations between Moscow and both Tokyo and The Hague. 

During the briefing, the diplomat stated that Tokyo’s involvement in a NATO procurement mechanism supplying weapons to Kyiv “does not contribute to eliminating the root causes of the crisis in Ukraine.” She added that military equipment acquired with Japanese funding “will become a legitimate target for units of the Russian Armed Forces.”

Zakharova also addressed the role of Dutch pilots operating F-16 fighter jets delivered to Ukraine, saying they would likewise be considered targets by Russia.

“First, The Hague supplied the Kyiv regime with 24 decommissioned F-16 fighter jets. Now, it appears that decommissioned pilots have been added to the decommissioned equipment. By the classic logic of the genre, the next stage will apparently be downed pilots. This is a clear example of Dutch pragmatism. <...> We see that the Netherlands is becoming increasingly drawn into a direct conflict with Russia. In this regard, I would like to once again remind that mercenaries are not covered by international law and do not fall under the Geneva Convention. <...> Any so-called foreign specialists present in Ukraine who in any way take part in combat operations against the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation become legitimate military targets regardless of how their presence in Ukraine is formalized. I think they should not expect mercy,” Zakharova said.

She also noted that information regarding negotiations in Geneva on a possible settlement related to Ukraine would be communicated exclusively through the Russian delegation.

Talks involving representatives of Russia, the US, and Ukraine were held on February 17–18. According to Zakharova, the Russian side acted within the framework of understandings reached during the Russia–US summit in Alaska, and additional details of the discussions will be made public at a later stage.

“The Russian delegation currently taking part in the talks in Geneva — which, judging by reports, have just concluded — also had clear instructions to act within this understanding, within those aspects recorded by the parties as understandings reached during the Russia–US summit in Alaska,” the diplomat said.

By Tamilla Hasanova