Mercenaries will replace Dodgers: what’s ahead with the new rules

Ukraine has officially introduced the possibility of attracting foreign volunteers to its armed forces. The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution granting recruiting centers the right to find, transport, and provide volunteers from other countries. This initiative has received funding and a specific procedure, which People’s Deputy Oleksiy Honcharenko confirmed.

Previously, foreigners could join the Armed Forces of Ukraine only after independently transforming the border and passing a series of checks. Selection at the arrival stage often complicated this since the state could not provide them with the necessary conditions. However, the situation has now changed.

Now, recruiting centers have the opportunity to organize the transportation of foreigners and provide them with housing, food, and comprehensive support at the initial stage of service. The financing of these measures is entrusted to the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard, and the State Special Transport Service.

Foreigners and stateless persons will receive the right to temporary residence in Ukraine if they sign a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is also possible if a relative applies for them and confirms the family relationship by providing the relevant military documents. Interestingly, even in the event of early termination of the contract before the three-year term, the opportunity to stay in Ukraine remains.

Military air reconnaissance Igor Lutsenko noted that the lack of a proper “corridor” led to the loss of many potential volunteers. This “corridor” will now function, and perhaps, new fighters previously in Latin America or Africa will soon join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.