Why foreign volunteers join Ukraine’s battle for independence

Espreso spoke in detail about the recruitment of foreigners and their motivations with Sergeant Taras Palianytsia, a recruiter for the 4th International Legion of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Tell us about the path of a foreign volunteer joining Ukraine's military.

It is important to note that there is a separate International Legion under the Main Intelligence Directorate. This is a different branch of the military with its own tasks unrelated to our work. We recruit volunteers for the International Legions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, operating within the Ground Forces — the largest branch of the Armed Forces.

Recruitment consists of three main stages: the volunteer arrives in Ukraine, contacts a recruitment center where they receive information, undergo checks, and sign a contract; then the volunteer chooses a military unit where they will serve.

We act as a kind of bridge between the volunteer and the military unit, helping to process all documents and ensuring swift integration into the army.

Foreign volunteers who wish to join the Defense Forces sign a contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, gain soldier status, undergo training, and then carry out combat missions. We do not handle travel compensation or cooperation with private companies. Additionally, all candidates are screened by state agencies such as the border service, migration service, police, and the Security Service of Ukraine.

Who are these people? Where do they come from, and why do foreign nationals come to fight for Ukraine?

With a volunteer from Italy

Volunteers come to us from all over the world, from the United States and Canada to Japan and Australia. Their motivations are very diverse. Some come to support Ukraine. Many come because they genuinely support Ukraine's fight for independence.

Some are seeking a new life. There are volunteers who plan their future in Ukraine and bring their families here.

Others are motivated by professional experience. Some want to gain combat experience, as they believe this war is of great importance to global security. Or the person is an excellent military specialist in their home country but cannot receive the appropriate level of support from their government.

It is especially inspiring to talk to volunteers who see Ukraine as a country with great potential. They see opportunities for development here and appreciate its rich culture and history.

One of the volunteers I spoke with was Japanese. He was about 45 years old and explained that mentally, Japanese people do not tolerate injustice. He believed the attack on Ukraine was an injustice that could not be ignored.

He also wanted to gain experience because he believed that World War III was inevitable and he needed to be prepared. This was an intellectual, mature person with two higher degrees and military experience.

Are there differences in service conditions between foreigners and Ukrainians?

With a volunteer from Poland

In Ukraine, general mobilization is in effect. When a country is under attack, all citizens must contribute to its defense: some serve in the military, while others provide support. Ukrainians are not allowed to terminate their service voluntarily until the end of mobilization, as this is governed by law.

Foreigners, however, are protected by international norms. They sign a three-year contract but have the option to terminate it after six months of service. This requires a formal report, review by the command, and adherence to appropriate procedures.

By the way, many foreigners view contract termination as a temporary break. They want to rest, spend time with family, or pursue other plans. Others switch military units to serve with friends or return to Ukraine after a certain period to continue their service.

All these procedures are conducted officially: records are entered into the contract, personal file, and military ID.

The rest of the conditions, including salary, are the same.

That said, commanders need to work with foreigners somewhat differently than with Ukrainian soldiers. It’s important to remember that these are volunteers who have consciously chosen to come to Ukraine, and this requires special attention.

It’s crucial to provide maximum support to volunteers, ensuring they have information and assistance, as they help fill personnel shortages in various units.

Can a foreign citizen serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces outside the International Legion?

International Legions are specifically designed for foreign service members, with foreign commanders in unit leadership roles and foreign instructors who already have combat experience in Ukraine. These structures are tailored to the service of foreign volunteers. However, if a volunteer has combat experience and wishes to join another combat unit, this is possible. The key is completing training and obtaining official military status.

Despite this, we recommend that all volunteers start their service in the International Legions. This allows them to receive the necessary training and gradually adapt to the Ukrainian army.

The Ground Forces mentioned that they review around 400 applications monthly. Is this accurate from your experience?

With a volunteer from Colombia

Every month, between 400 and 600 foreign applications are reviewed. Some are first-time arrivals, while others return after participating in battles in 2022. This occurs in waves: some months see more applications, even over 600, while others see fewer.

It’s important to note that many volunteers plan to stay in Ukraine, bring their families, and make our country their new home.

Why is so little known about foreign recruitment in terms of media coverage in our information space?

We fight not only with weapons but also with information. Russia uses volunteers in its propaganda, claiming it is fighting NATO. Thus, we cannot conduct large-scale information campaigns to avoid harming our efforts or giving Russia additional leverage.

Moreover, the laws of many countries prohibit participation in the regular armies of other states. This could create legal problems for volunteers upon their return home.

In conclusion, it is important to add that foreign volunteers who are currently aiding in the fight will become one of the pillars of a strong Ukrainian army in the future. They believe in Ukraine, its potential, and its opportunities. After victory, we will have a lot of work to do to rebuild the country, and these volunteers will become part of that process.