Poles Fighting for Ukraine to Be Exempt from Criminal Liability

Poland is preparing a draft law on amnesty for citizens who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine after the start of Russian aggression.

Under current legislation, serving in a foreign army without permission from the Polish authorities is punishable by up to five years in prison.

The exact number of Poles who joined the Ukrainian military after the start of the war is unknown. However, according to estimates, it involves several hundred individuals, Polskie Radio reports.

Despite this, there have been no recorded cases of a Polish court convicting a citizen for serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Journalists emphasize that prosecutors are most likely aware of the absurdity of the current regulation.

In assessing the bill, the government noted that the participation of Poles in the war on the side of Ukraine contributes to strengthening Poland’s external security. Thus, the new initiative could be a step toward official recognition of the contribution of Polish volunteers to the joint struggle against Russian aggression.

Last year, a center was opened in Poland to recruit Ukrainian volunteers to the ranks of the “Ukrainian Legion.”