New Delhi: The Ukraine Defense Ministry has called upon foreign nationals to enlist as volunteers in the ongoing war fight against Russia, as part of the ‘International Legion of Ukraine’.
In a tweet Saturday, the governing body of Ukraine wrote, “Ukraine calls on foreign citizens to join its fight for peace and democracy in Europe. Now is time to act! Join the international legion of Ukraine and help us defend our country, Europe and the whole world from Russian (represented by the country’s flag in the tweet) aggression !”
??✊? UKRAINE CALLS ON FOREIGN CITIZENS TO JOIN ITS FIGHT FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY IN EUROPE
NOW IS TIME TO ACT!
Join the international legion of defense of ?? and help us defend ??, Europe and the whole world from ?? aggression !
Instructions?? https://t.co/91OvHJE6vr pic.twitter.com/6hP1JeGnj9
— Defence of Ukraine (@DefenceU) March 5, 2022
The tweet follows an earlier call to foreigners to join Ukraine in its battle against Russia.
According to media reports, Ukraine had first made the call for foreign support on 27 February, as it anticipated the need for manpower to combat the Russian offensive. The reports said Ukraine’s defence ministry had received thousands of entries within a day of launching the initiative last month.
The reports also claimed that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was expecting as many as 16,000 foreign volunteers to join in.
Joining the International Legion of Ukraine
In a website launched by the defense unit Saturday, clear instructions have been given on how foreign nationals can apply to go to the country and qualify to be a part of the force, named the ‘International Legion of Ukraine’.
According to Ukraine’s Presidential Administration, anyone — except for Russian nationals — supporting Ukraine’s cause is welcome to try and enlist, even if they don’t have prior combat experience.
“President Zelensky has created the International Legion of Ukraine, consisting of foreign citizens wishing to join the resistance against the Russian occupants and fight for global security”, the site reads.
The website informs that anyone willing to join the force must first visit the Ukrainian embassy in their country or reach out to them via an email or call. The website provides a complete list of Ukrainian diplomatic missions around the world that potential recruits can visit.
The volunteer will then be provided with information on the gear that they should possess and an interview with the Ukrainian military attache will be conducted.
“It is recommended that legionnaires obtain combat gear, such as fatigues… or equipment, or a helmet, armored vests, and so on,” the Presidential Office added.
Media reports also clarify that the service is legal and official and recruits will be given a special visa to travel to Ukraine. The recruits will have to sign a contract of military service upon arrival in the country, after which they will be able to join the forces fighting Russia.
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