MANILA, Nov. 28 -- Malacanang on Friday dismissed as "fake news" the claim that the United States is recruiting Filipinos to fight in Ukraine's war.

Citing the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) statement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Ukraine Embassy has already debunked the alleged recruitment.

"It is fake news, according to Ukraine Embassy," Castro said, quoting DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said representatives of an American security firm have launched a campaign in the Philippines "to recruit local citizens" for the Ukrainian army, according to Russian news agency TASS report on Thursday.

Zakharova also claimed that recruits who sign contracts are issued a...