MOSCOW, September 30. /TASS/. Ukraine is placing high hopes on recruiting foreign mercenaries to replenish its armed forces, a move that points to what Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described as serious problems with the country’s forced mobilization campaign.

"Kiev officials are counting on replenishing the ranks of the Ukrainian army with foreign mercenaries, promising them higher pay and an expanded package of social and other benefits," she said. "All this points to catastrophic problems with the implementation of forced mobilization plans in Ukraine."

Zakharova also highlighted a recent announcement by Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergey Koretsky on the creation of a "recruitment center for foreigners and stateless persons for contract service" within the National Guard of Ukraine.

"It is obvious that this center is intended to staff the 'Liberty' 9th Separate Special Forces Detachment, recently formed within the National Guard, which accepts 'soldiers of fortune' recruited in various countries," Zakharova said.

"We would like to reiterate that any foreign legionnaire units on Ukrainian territory constitute a legitimate military target for the Russian Armed Forces," she added.