Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian drone strike on a shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Friday, amid the Russian invasion. At least four people were injured. Both Russia and Ukraine have been accused of enlisting foreigners to fight under false pretenses. Photo by Oleg Movchaniuk/EPA
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Panama has brought home 17 citizens linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine as prosecutors investigate an alleged network accused of recruiting Panamanians for military service through false job offers.
The Foreign Ministry said Thursday that 11 of the citizens returned from Russia and six from Ukraine after diplomatic and consular efforts coordinated with Panamanian missions abroad. The statement did not identify the returnees or specify when they arrived.
Panamanian officials held four meetings with representatives of the Russian Embassy and two with Ukrainian Embassy officials to seek the release of citizens serving with military forces and arrange their return.
Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha also sent diplomatic communications to Russian and Ukrainian authorities to request their cooperation on humanitarian grounds.
