Ukraine authorizes military recruitment centers to transport and house foreign volunteer soldiers

The Ukrainian government has granted recruitment centers the authority to independently organize the transportation and accommodation of foreign volunteer soldiers.

This was announced by Taras Melnychuk, a government representative in the Parliament of Ukraine (Verkhovna Rada), on his Telegram channel.

In particular, the government has amended the Regulations on Recruitment Centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Regulations on the Recruitment Center for Foreigners and Stateless Persons.

The amendments provide for the expansion of the powers of both the Center for Recruitment of Foreigners and Stateless Persons and the recruitment centers of the Armed Forces and Territorial Recruitment Centers.

Recruitment centers will now be able to organize the transportation of candidates for military service from abroad to Ukraine.

In addition, they will be able to provide them with accommodation and meals during their stay in Ukraine. The costs will be covered by the state budget.

As a reminder, in September 2024, the Verkhovna Rada authorized foreigners and stateless persons to hold officer positions in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the National Guard of Ukraine.

Contracts with such candidates are proposed to be concluded for a period of one to five years. Before signing a contract, foreigners will undergo a special check to establish the legality of their stay in Ukraine.

It also checks whether they have been brought to administrative or criminal liability under Ukrainian law, as well as possible links to foreign intelligence and subversive activities against Ukraine.

The vetting process will also take into account other circumstances that may be an obstacle to concluding a contract for military service.

In addition, with the consent of the candidates, a psychophysiological examination using a polygraph will be conducted. Foreigners will also have to provide written consent to undergo such tests throughout the duration of the contract.

Refusal to participate in the study will be considered grounds for refusal to enroll in military service.