Ukraine rejects Iraq's claim of Kyiv-linked cell arrested in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Ukraine's Foreign Ministry rejected Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Aaraji's claim that a cell operating on behalf of Kyiv had been detained in Iraq, calling the allegations unfounded. In a written statement, the ministry said the claims lacked any factual or evidentiary basis. The ministry criticized the manner in which Iraq communicated its concerns, saying that announcing them through a live television program rather than diplomatic channels was unacceptable and inconsistent with the responsibility expected of a senior official of a friendly country. Ukraine stressed that Iraq remains an important partner in the Middle East and reiterated its commitment to strengthening bilateral political, economic and humanitarian cooperation. The ministry also suggested that the allegations align with a Russian propaganda narrative aimed at damaging Ukraine's reputation and undermining its relations with Middle Eastern states. Al-Aaraji said on Dijlah television on Sunday evening that a limited number of individuals arrested in Iraq had admitted under interrogation to carrying out mortar attacks on multiple sites on behalf of Ukraine.