Russia adds Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to list of ‘wanted’ criminals

Kyiv dismissed the move as a sign of Moscow’s ‘desperation’, saying its state machine is ‘at a loss for what else to invent’

Zelensky has been a target since the start of Russia’s invasion, and says he was aware of at least ‘five or six’ foiled assassination attempts against him

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is seen at an event in Kyiv in April. Photo: Ukrainian presidential press service via AFP

Published: 12:19am, 5 May 2024

Russia has added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to its list of wanted criminals, a move Kyiv dismissed as a sign of Moscow’s “desperation”.

Zelensky’s name appeared on Saturday on the Russian interior ministry’s “wanted” list, an online database of alleged criminals sought by the Russian authorities.

It said the Ukrainian leader was wanted “under an article of the criminal code”, without providing further details.

There was no immediate comment from Russian officials as to why Zelensky had been added to the list.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has a selfie taken with a resident in Slavutych, the city where Chernobyl plant personnel lived some 50km from the accident site, in April. Photo: Ukrainian presidential press service via AFP

Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the decision showed “the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda, which are at a loss for what else to invent to garner attention”.