The Agency for External Labor Migration commented on the message of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that Uzbek nationals were revealed to be serving in the Russian army in the occupied Gorlovka in the Donetsk region.

According to the Ukrainian authorities, Uzbeks arrived in Mariupol for construction work, but their passports were taken away and they were mobilized as volunteers.

The agency called on the Uzbek nationals temporarily working in Russia not to travel to work in war zones, and not to participate in hostilities.

They reminded that, according to Article 154-1 of the Criminal Code, the entry of a citizen of Uzbekistan into military service, into the service of security agencies, police, military justice or other similar bodies of foreign states is punishable by a fine of up to 300 basic settlement units (99 million soums, or 8.5 thousand USD) or correctional labor up to 3 years, and if recruited - up to 5 years in prison.

The day before, the Embassy of Ukraine called on the citizens of Uzbekistan not to participate in the Russian war against this country and not to travel to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Such citizens "will be regarded as accomplices of the occupiers and will be held accountable," the diplomatic mission said.

In turn, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kiev stated that if the information of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine about the discovery of citizens of Uzbekistan in Gorlovka is confirmed, then "all necessary measures will be taken to protect the interests of our citizens."