Civilian Volunteers From Other Countries Join Ukraine Troops To Fight Russia

Many foreign volunteers are now entering Ukraine from other countries to help defend its people amid the Russian invasion.

Small groups of foreign volunteers are now entering crossing the Polish border in hopes of aiding Ukraine to defend itself from Russian troops. Most volunteers appeared to be in their 20s and 30s. Many were also seen carrying black tactical boots, NBC News reported.

Volunteers who cross Medyka, Poland, are met with Ukrainian border guards, who send them to join other people hoping to join Ukraine’s new brigade “The International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine,” as named by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“This is the beginning of a war against Europe, against European structures, against democracy, against basic human rights, against a global order of law, rules and peaceful coexistence,” a statement posted on the Ukrainian presidency’s website read.

“Anyone who wants to join the defense of Ukraine, Europe and the world can come and fight side by side with the Ukrainians against the Russian war criminals.”

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry echoed Zelensky’s appeal for volunteers on Facebook, adding that they are looking for people who have experience in combat.

“If your citizenship other than Ukrainian, but you are standing with Ukraine against Russian invasion, if praying is not enough for you, if you want actively participate in fighting for European freedom and democracy, if you have combat experience or want to gain it standing with brave Ukrainian defenders, THIS IS TIME TO ACT!” the post read.

Foreign volunteers interested in joining the new brigade are instructed to contact the Ukrainian embassies in their home country.

As of Thursday, Zelensky claimed that some 16,000 foreign volunteers sought to join in the fight against Russian forces in Ukraine. However, the International Business Times cannot independently verify the number.

It remains unclear where the volunteers would be coming from. However, the Ukrainian embassy in Washington D.C. said they have received over 3,000 applications from U.S. citizens wanting to join the fight. The applications included many military veterans, a defense official told The Military Times.

In response to the new brigade and the arrival of foreign volunteers, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkoc on Thursday threatened that volunteers would face more severe repercussions if they are captured in the war.