The Russian embassy in Ethiopia has replied after scores of young men gathered outside its Addis Ababa premises this week to express their desire to assist in the Ukraine war effort.

Read More: Ethiopians enroll for war at the Russian embassy

Soldiers had been rumored to be recruited.

“We would like to notify you that the embassy does not accept applications for enlistment to the Russian Armed Forces,” an embassy statement released on Twitter stated.

However, the embassy expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian government for “support offered to the Russian Federation at the United Nations during the vote on Ukraine-related resolutions.”

Ethiopia was one of many nations who did not attend a United Nations session to vote on a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 17 African countries voted with their abstentions.

❗❗❗Statement by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia❗❗❗ pic.twitter.com/GwQ4LjmYW3

— Russian Embassy in Ethiopia (@RusEmbEthiopia) April 19, 2022