Foreigners in the ranks of the Armed Forces: Cabinet of Ministers approves new vetting rules for those wishing to join
11 February 17:00
The government has approved new vetting rules for foreigners who want to join the Armed Forces. This was announced on February 11 by MP Oleksiy Honcharenko on his Telegram channel, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
“From now on, foreigners and stateless persons who want to serve under contract in the Armed Forces, the National Guard or the State Special Transport Service will be subject to a polygraph test,” the MP wrote.
Honcharenko added that the Center for Recruiting Foreigners will be authorized to conduct such tests. Thus, the polygraph will become part of a special pre-employment check.
What are the conditions for foreigners to fight for Ukraine?
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, thousands of foreign volunteers have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in an effort to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for independence. According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, citizens from 72 countries serve in the Armed Forces, with 40% of them coming from South America.
Conditions of service for foreign volunteers
Foreign citizens wishing to join the Armed Forces must meet certain criteria. Those with military service or law enforcement experience over the past ten years can be enlisted directly into combat units without undergoing basic training. Those without such experience are required to complete a basic military training course.
In August 2024, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law simplifying the procedure for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for foreign volunteers participating in the defense of the country’s territorial integrity. This step is aimed at recognizing the contribution of foreign fighters and encouraging their integration into Ukrainian society.
Motivation of foreign fighters
The motivation of foreign volunteers is diverse: from ideological beliefs and solidarity with the Ukrainian people to the desire to gain combat experience. Among them are veterans of the Colombian armed forces, who, with their extensive experience in guerrilla warfare, are making a significant contribution to the fighting in eastern Ukraine.
According to the Associated Press, in Colombia, corporals receive about $400 a month, while in Ukraine, any soldier is entitled to a monthly salary of up to $3,300, as well as compensation in case of injury or death.
In addition, in January 2025, the Ukrainian Azov unit announced the recruitment of English-speaking soldiers with military experience to form an international battalion, emphasizing the need to strengthen its ranks in the face of the ongoing war.
However, despite the significant contribution of foreign volunteers, experts emphasize that their participation is not a decisive factor in the war against Russia. The main burden is on the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and foreign fighters play a supporting role, bringing valuable experience and skills.
