MANILA — The Ukrainian government reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rights of all prisoners of war (POWs), following reports that six Filipinos allegedly recruited to fight for Russia are being held in Kyiv.

“We follow international law. That is what we have been espousing — the rule of law,” Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv said in an interview on the sidelines of a Stratbase ADR Institute forum in Makati City.

Fediv emphasized that POWs in Ukraine are treated humanely, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that seven Filipinos had been recruited to fight on the Russian side, with one reportedly killed during an assault in Kramatorsk District, Donetsk region. The remaining six are currently held as POWs by Ukrainian authorities.

DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the department is coordinating with Ukrainian and Russian authorities, as well as the Red Cross, to provide assistance to the Filipinos, but declined to disclose specific details.

According to information from the POWs’ families, the recruits were largely drawn in through “very deceptive” online job offers.

The situation underscores the risks posed by online recruitment and the Philippine government’s ongoing efforts to protect its citizens abroad.