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Volunteer soldiers are becoming pivotal in Ukraine's defense strategy, with the Ministry of Defence aiming for up to 50% of assault and infantry positions to be filled by foreign nationals. This strategic move aims to bolster the Ukrainian army's capabilities and diversify its forces. President Zelenskyy has stressed the need for expanded opportunities to recruit foreign volunteers, demonstrating Ukraine's commitment to strengthening its military. In addition, the Ukrainian government is exploring options to raise military pay, ensuring that personnel are well-compensated, with a minimum salary set at 30,000 UAH for rear positions. These efforts highlight Ukraine's proactive approach to defense in 2026.
How is Ukraine planning to utilize volunteer soldiers in its army?
Ukraine is actively seeking to incorporate volunteer soldiers, particularly foreign nationals, into its military forces. The Ministry of Defence aims to have 30-50% of assault troops and infantry positions filled by these volunteers, enhancing both manpower and diversity within the ranks.
What initiatives has President Zelenskyy introduced for recruiting foreign volunteers?
President Zelenskyy has directed officials to expand recruitment opportunities for foreign volunteers, aiming to strengthen Ukraine's military by inviting and accommodating more international volunteers who wish to support the Ukrainian army.
What are the financial incentives for military personnel in Ukraine?
The Ukrainian government is poised to increase the salaries of military personnel. A minimum of 30,000 UAH is being set for those in rear positions, with the aim of providing competitive and fair compensation for soldiers serving in various capacities within the armed forces.
Why is Ukraine integrating foreign nationals into military roles?
Integrating foreign nationals into the military serves as a strategic move to augment the Ukrainian army's capabilities. It allows the addition of diverse experiences and skills, which are crucial for expanding the operational reach and preparedness of Ukraine's defense forces.
What percentage of the Ukrainian army's roles might be filled by foreign nationals?
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, the goal is for 30-50% of the assault troops and infantry positions within the Ukrainian army to be filled by foreign nationals, significantly enlarging the army's manpower and potential skill set.
News volunteer soldiers
Georgian volunteers Igor Bekurashvili and Giorgi Damenia have been killed in war in Ukraine, - media Two volunteers from Georgia were killed during Russia’s war against Ukraine. 5 397 15 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Lithuanian volunteer Ignas Kailius was killed in war in Ukraine, - media Ignas Kailius, a 25-year-old Lithuanian volunteer, was killed in combat in Ukraine. 3 090 18 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Father of Polish volunteer Sztyber, who died fighting for Ukraine, handed over his son’s car to Ukrainian military. PHOTO Mirosław Sztyber, the father of Polish volunteer Daniel Sztyber, who was killed fighting for Ukraine in 2022, has donated a car to Ukrainian defenders. 4 894 12 Previously in trend: Volunteers for the Army
Up to 50% of assault troops and infantry positions are expected to be filled by foreign nationals, - Fedorov The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence aims to have foreigners fill 30–50% of the assault and infantry roles within the Ukrainian army. 4 953 56 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces Reforms in the army
Zelenskyy has instructed officials to create more opportunities to recruit foreign volunteers into Ukrainian army President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered that opportunities be expanded to recruit foreign volunteers into the Ukrainian army. 1 615 35 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
There are resources to increase pay in army. Minimum of 30,000 UAH in rear, – Zelenskyy. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine has the resources to increase military personnel’s salaries. 3 632 58 Previously in trend: Reforms in the army
Businesses that fund bringing in of foreign volunteers should be required to set same number of places for reserving Ukrainian men, - Butusov Businesses that fund the bringing in of foreign volunteers should be given the opportunity to reserve a similar number of Ukrainian men at their facilities. 1 643 10 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces Employee mobilization exemption
Hasan, soldier from Ichkeria who was rescued by Ukraine as child, has been killed in action. PHOTO Hasan, a soldier who had miraculously escaped the war in Ichkeria as a child, was killed in the fighting for Ukraine; he had joined the front lines as a volunteer after the Russian army killed his pregnant wife and destroyed their home on Ukrainian soil. 6 058 6 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Ninth group of volunteers from Ukrainian Legion will sign their contracts in Lublin on 26 June On June 26 in Lublin, Poland, a ninth group of Ukrainian citizens living abroad who have volunteered to join the Ukrainian Legion will sign contracts with the Armed Forces. 1 836 13 Previously in trend: Ukrainian legion in Poland
There are tens of thousands of foreigners ready to take part in combat operations, but government isn’t bringing them in, - Butusov There are no systematic efforts by the government to bring in foreign infantry troops. 2 748 29 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Italian volunteer Alex Pineschi killed while defending Ukraine. PHOTO Alex Pineschi, a 42-year-old Italian citizen who served with Ukrainian special units, has been killed in the war against Russia near Lyman in the Donetsk region. 3 329 3 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Anonymous Ukrainian abroad paid for transfer of 25 fighters from Colombia to Khartiia Brigade – Butusov A Ukrainian has paid for the transfer of 25 fighters from Colombia, who will soon arrive in Ukraine and fight in the Khartiia Brigade. 11 482 39 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Thousands of foreign volunteers are ready to join "Khartiia", but due to lack of funds they cannot be brought in, - Butusov. VIDEO Thousands of foreigners are currently ready to join the Ukrainian infantry, but state funding for their transfer is still at the approval stage. 4 660 32 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces Fighting in the Volchansk direction
23rd "R.U.G" Assault Regiment of 2nd "Khartiia" Corps of National Guard of Ukraine carried out successful assault operation in Vovchansk direction. VIDEO In April–May 2026, fighters from the 23rd Assault Regiment "R.U.G" of the 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine "Khartiia" carried out an assault operation in the Vovchansk direction, during which assault groups crossed the line of contact and cleared the enemy’s forward defensive line to a... 7 751 2 Previously in trend: Fighting in the Volchansk direction
Jelo, volunteer from Sri Lanka, died defending Ukraine: he was buried in Rivne region. PHOTO While defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, Hakuru Baddalage Genada Lahiru Kavinda, a soldier from the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine originally from Sri Lanka and known by the call sign ‘Jelo’, was killed on the front line. The soldier was buried in the Rivne region... 8 042 17 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
More than 20,000 foreign volunteers are serving in Ukrainian Armed Forces, — DW Ukraine has set a course to more actively recruit foreign volunteers into the Armed Forces. Currently, about 20,000 foreigners are fighting on Ukraine’s side—that is approximately 2% of the total strength of the Defense Forces. Their numbers are expected to grow. 3 021 50 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Zelenskyy honoured soldiers and families of fallen on occasion of Volunteer Day. VIDEO On the occasion of Ukrainian Volunteer Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to servicemen of the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine and civilians, and also presented awards to the families of fallen defenders. 2 250 26 Previously in trend: Awarding awards to military
Ze-propagandist Zolkin was outraged by question of why he was not going to war as volunteer: "Are you #ucking crazy or something?". VIDEO Popular blogger and interviewer Volodymyr Zolkin, known for his conversations with Russian prisoners of war, reacted sharply to viewers' accusations about his personal involvement in combat operations. According to Censor.NET, during one of his broadcasts, Zolkin was outraged by the question of... 27 852 127 Previously in trend: Mobilisation in Ukraine
Media establish Brazilian recruit died after beating at Kyiv military unit: police investigating The Kyiv Independent has established that a 24-year-old recruit from Brazil, Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva, died in Kyiv after a brutal beating in the foreign fighters’ unit Advanced Company. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. 12 663 50
International legions: Ministry of Defence clarification on reorganisation of foreign volunteer units. INFOGRAPHICS Recently, there has been a lot of conflicting information in the public sphere regarding the reorganisation of foreign volunteer units in Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence explained the logic behind the changes, which are aimed at strengthening the army's combat capability. 2 871 16 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Belarusian volunteer Aliaksei Lazarau (Vuzh) killed defending Ukraine. PHOTO A Belarusian volunteer from the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, Aliaksei "Vuzh" Lazarau, has been killed in fighting for Ukraine. 3 429 6 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Kyiv bids farewell to 22-year-old Brazilian volunteer Kaua Victor da Silva who defended Ukraine. PHOTOS At the National Military Memorial Cemetery in Kyiv, a farewell ceremony was held for fallen Brazilian volunteer Kaua Victor da Silva, callsign Kurt. He will be 22 forever. 4 933 18 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
South American volunteers of Khartiia brigade clear Kupiansk city council building. VIDEO A reconnaissance-strike group of South American volunteers from the NGU "Khartiia" brigade conducted a special operation to clear the city council building in Kupiansk. 9 394 17 Previously in trend: Close-quarters combat Fighting in the Kupіansk direction
Belarusian volunteer snipers eliminate five occupiers in treeline. VIDEO Footage has surfaced online showing Belarusian volunteer snipers engaging the occupiers in a tree line. 5 764 5 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces Elimination of Russian occupiers
28-year-old Polish volunteer Kacper Bass ("Frenchman") died in hospital after being wounded in fighting in Kharkiv region. PHOTO 28-year-old Polish volunteer Kacper Bass, nicknamed "Frenchman," died from wounds sustained in late December during combat operations in the Kharkiv region. 4 578 8 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Australian volunteer Russell Allan Wilson killed in fighting for Ukraine. PHOTO Volunteer fighter and Australian citizen Russell Allan Wilson was killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine. He died in combat on Dec. 12 near Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. 7 653 16 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
American volunteers Jones Ty Wingate and Brian Zacherl killed in battles for Ukraine In early December, while carrying out a combat mission in the war in Ukraine, servicemen of the International Legion, U.S. citizens Jones Ty Wingate and Brian Zacherl, were killed. 7 990 12 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Spanish-speaking unit of Khartiia National Guard brigade: Colombian fighters train and prepare to defend Ukraine. VIDEO Weapons handling, medical aid and combat tactics are part of the basic training for new recruits in one of the units of the National Guard’s Khartiia brigade. Orders here, however, are given in Spanish. The unit was formed this spring and named after the first fallen Colombian fighter, call sign... 3 610 11 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
27-year-old Czech volunteer fighter Jirka Kotrla killed fighting for Ukraine. PHOTO A 27-year-old Czech citizen, Jirka Kotrla, who had been listed as missing in action, was killed in fighting against Russian occupiers near Izium in Kharkiv region. 4 865 9 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Kyiv bids farewell to Hungarian volunteer fighter Benjamin Asher, who served in Third Assault Brigade. PHOTOS A farewell ceremony was held on Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in Kyiv for Benjamin Asher, a volunteer fighter from Hungary who fought with the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade and was killed in May this year. 3 578 12 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Georgian soldiers in Armed Forces of Ukraine captured two Russian infantrymen in Vovchansk direction. VIDEO A unit of Georgian fighters serving in Ukraine’s Defense Forces captured two Russian infantrymen during a clearance operation on the Vovchansk front in Kharkiv region. 7 286 10 Previously in trend: captured occupiers
Foreign volunteers will have broader opportunities in Defense Forces, - Ground Forces Foreign volunteers who sign a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine will have broader opportunities for service, including the right to choose a combat brigade, direction, and specific application, in accordance with the training, experience, and preferences of the serviceman. 5 752 19 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
For foreigners whose contract with Armed Forces has expired, it is proposed to extend time of stay in Ukraine The Rada proposes to extend the rights of foreign military personnel whose contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine have expired. 1 370 7 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces Foreigners in AFU
Sixth group of Ukrainian Legion volunteer fighters signed contracts with Armed Forces of Ukraine in Lublin. PHOTO On Friday, October 10, the sixth group of volunteer fighters of the Ukrainian Legion, composed of Ukrainian citizens living abroad, signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The signing ceremony took place in Lublin. 10 091 19 Previously in trend: Ukrainian legion in Poland
Sixth group of Ukrainian Legion volunteers to sign contracts with Armed Forces of Ukraine in Lublin On October 10, in the Polish city of Lublin, the sixth group of volunteers from the Ukrainian Legion will sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 1 979 0 Previously in trend: Ukrainian legion in Poland
Missing 18-year-old from Poland found in Ukraine: He became volunteer fighter in AFU In mid-March 2025, an 18-year-old from Poland, Wojciech Antoni, was declared missing after he was supposed to travel to Warsaw. Half a year later, it turned out that the young man had volunteered to join the Ukrainian army. 9 202 40 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Television project director of photography and volunteer Denys Ponomarenko died defending Ukraine. PHOTO On Sunday, 7 September, a TV project director of photography Denys (Bes) Ponomarenko, who volunteered to join the AFU after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, was killed while performing a combat mission in the Kharkiv region. 5 597 7 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
At least 92 Americans have died fighting for Ukraine, - NYT The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II has recorded that at least 92 US citizens died defending Ukraine from Russian aggression. 3 608 33 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Estonian volunteer fighter Olev Roost killed in action while defending Ukraine. PHOTO An Estonian volunteer fighter, Olev Roost, has been killed in the war in Ukraine. 5 433 13 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Italian volunteer fighter Luca Cecca killed in fighting for Ukraine. PHOTO Italian volunteer fighter Luca Cecca died defending Ukraine. 4 964 9 Previously in trend: Enemy losses foreign volunteers in the armed forces
23-year-old American volunteer fighter Robert Pietrangelo killed defending Ukraine. PHOTO 23-year-old American volunteer fighter Robert Edward Pietrangelo, known as "Bobby," from Pennsylvania and a former U.S. Boy Scout, died fighting for Ukraine. 7 394 19 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
23-year-old Georgian citizen Valerii Badzahua killed defending Ukraine. PHOTO Valerii Badzahua, a 23-year-old Georgian citizen who joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces before the full-scale invasion, has died fighting against Russia. 4 417 8 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces
21‑year‑old Italian volunteer fighter of Ukrainian origin Artem Naliato killed in action A 21‑year‑old Italian of Ukrainian origin, Artem Naliato, adopted by an Italian family as a child, has been killed fighting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 5 296 13 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Man who has been fighting on side of Ukraine in war against Russia for over year will be tried in Hungary A Hungarian citizen from the city of Mako was charged in absentia with joining the Ukrainian army last year and participating in hostilities against Russia. The man will be tried in absentia. 3 138 16 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces Foreigners in AFU
Hungarian volunteer Benjamin Asher killed in war in Ukraine A 21-year-old Hungarian citizen, Benjamin Asher, who fought on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a volunteer, was killed in the battle for Ukraine. 4 132 16 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Kyiv bids farewell to Georgian volunteer fighter Vano Nadiradze, who fought on side of Ukraine in SOF. PHOTOS On 25 June in Kyiv, a farewell ceremony was held for Georgian volunteer Lieutenant Colonel Vano Nadiradze, who led the Georgian group within Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces. He had been fighting alongside the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. 5 206 12 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Experimental project launched to reinforce air defense with VFTC groups The Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a resolution launching an experimental project aimed at enhancing territorial air defense by involving air defense groups formed within volunteer formations of territorial communities (VFTC). 8 079 28 Previously in trend: Ukrainian Air defence Volonteer soldiers will shoot the drones
59th SAB on statement by U.S. volunteer fighter O’Leary: he does not possess up-to-date information on unit’s current state 59th Separate Assault Brigade (SAB) named after Yakov Handziuk stated that its former soldier Ryan O’Leary does not have up-to-date information about the current situation in the unit. Previously, he reported suspending the activities of the Chosen Company company due to poor leadership. 8 696 78
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