Russia is trying to use national minorities against Ukraine's interests – Ismagilov

This was stated by a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, former Mufti of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine "Umma" Said Ismagilov at a press conference at the Ukraine-Ukrinform Media Center.

"Our enemy and aggressor is trying to use national minorities against the interests of Ukraine, against unity and cohesion. This is being 'played' at the geopolitical level, at the national level, and at the religious level. Even before the start of the war in 2014, before the temporary occupation of Crimea and Donbas, large sums of money were invested by Russia in religious and certain national organizations... Various projects were funded that were supposed to promote pro-Russian narratives and act in the interests of the enemy and occupier," Ismagilov said.

According to him, since the beginning of the war, Russia has widely used this network of its agents and tries to use the national and religious factors against Ukraine.

"Therefore, I believe that our state needs to carefully monitor the agents who work in the interests of our enemy. The war is entering a prolonged phase, and we need to prepare and unite for the further defense of our Motherland. We need to demonstrate unity and mutual respect, and thus, the interests of Ukraine should be paramount," emphasized Ismagilov.