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.
Photo news volunteer soldiers
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
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
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
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
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. 7 654 16 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
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
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
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
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
Georgian volunteer Tarbey Arkania killed in war in Ukraine. PHOTO Tarbey (Tabo) Arkania, a Georgian volunteer, was killed in the battles for Ukraine, he fought in the Pokrovsk direction. 5 016 17 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Enemy strike destroyed base of Hospitallers medical volunteer battalion in Pavlohrad. PHOTO In Pavlohrad, the Russian occupiers destroyed the base of "Hospitallers" medical volunteer battalion. 4 820 36 Previously in trend: Enemy destroyed the Hospitallers’ base.
Number of brigades under Contract 18-24 project has been increased to 24 - Ministry of Defence. PHOTO The Contract 18-24 project has been expanded to include 24 brigades instead of 16. 4 563 10 Previously in trend: Contract 18-24
He shielded three of his comrades with his own body: 24-year-old soldier of "Aidar" battalion and scout Ivan Palamarchuk was killed in action. PHOTO On 20 April, Ivan Palamarchuk, a 24-year-old Plast member of the Aidar assault battalion, died at the front, shielding his three comrades. 5 222 7 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Kyiv bids farewell to American volunteer medic Ethan Hertweck. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS On February 28, Independence Square in Kyiv bids farewell to American Ethan Hertweck, who was killed in battle for Ukraine on December 14, 2023. 9 271 24 Previously in trend: Farewell on the Maidan
18-year-old British volunteer soldier James Wilton was killed during his first combat mission in Donetsk region. PHOTO James Wilton, an 18-year-old volunteer soldier from the United Kingdom who joined the Armed Forces a few months after graduating from college, was killed in the fighting for Ukraine. It was his first combat mission. 25 262 110
Kyiv bids farewell to 19-year-old Polish volunteer fighter Filip Antosiak. PHOTOS On Thursday, January 30, Kyiv bids farewell to 19-year-old Polish volunteer soldier Filip Antosiak, who was killed near Pokrovsk, Donetsk region. 11 624 36
30-year-old volunteer from Austria died defending Ukraine. PHOTO A volunteer from Austria was killed in the fighting for Ukraine. He was 30 years old. 5 376 8
Volunteer fighter from Belarus, Maria Zaitseva, died at front defending Ukraine. PHOTO A 24-year-old volunteer fighter from Belarus, Maria Zaitseva, died at the front defending Ukraine from Russian invaders. 15 518 27
Volunteer fighter from Latvia Edgar Platonov was killed in battles for Ukraine. PHOTO Edgar Platonov, a fighter of the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, died at the front defending Ukraine from Russian invaders. 5 182 21
Second group of volunteer fighters from Ukrainian Legion signs contracts with AFU in Poland. PHOTO A second group of volunteer fighters from among Ukrainian citizens living abroad signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 7 222 7
Volunteer from Belarus with call sign Gaz was killed in action for Ukraine. PHOTO An International Legion soldier, a 25-year-old Belarusian citizen with the call sign Gaz, was killed in action for Ukraine. 4 259 5 Previously in trend: War
Finnish volunteer fighter - medic killed in battle. PHOTO A Finnish volunteer medic with the call sign Sipa was killed in action in eastern Ukraine. 7 571 17
Defending Ukraine, volunteer from Georgia, Levan Lokhishvili, was killed. PHOTO On 19 November, 24-year-old Georgian volunteer Levan Lokhishvili was killed in a homemade drone explosion in Kherson region. 5 629 15
First group of volunteers of Ukrainian Legion in Poland took military oath - Ministry of Defense. PHOTOS On Saturday, 16 November, the first group of volunteers of the Ukrainian Legion took the oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people at a training centre of the Polish Armed Forces. 11 870 23
First group of Ukrainian Legion volunteers signs contracts with Armed Forces of Ukraine. PHOTO On 12 November, the first group of volunteers from the Ukrainian Legion signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 8 171 4
Ukrainian Legion starts recruiting volunteer fighters abroad - Ministry of Defense. PHOTO The Ukrainian Legion initiative, which aims to attract Ukrainians abroad to join the Ukrainian Defence Forces, has officially started recruiting new recruits. 7 985 44
Former Irish Armed Forces Ranger Robert Deegan was killed in action for Ukraine. PHOTO A former Irish Army Ranger, 29-year-old Robert Deegan, was killed in the battles for Ukraine against the Russian invaders. 8 663 10 Previously in trend: War
Fighter of "Siberian Battalion" Vladyslav Yurchenko was killed during amphibious operation on Kinburn Spit. PHOTO Vladyslav Yurchenko, an anarchist from Russia, call sign Pirate, was killed in the battle for Ukraine. The 22-year-old soldier was killed on August 9 during an amphibious operation on the Kinburn Spit. 16 300 24 Previously in trend: War
British volunteer and combat medic Peter Foucher was killed defending Ukraine. PHOTO Defending Ukraine from Russian invaders, Peter Foucher, a volunteer of the International Legion and a combat medic from the UK, died at the front. 7 926 16 Previously in trend: War
Georgian volunteers Beso Lomidze and Dato Gogadze were killed defending Ukraine. PHOTO Two volunteers from Georgia, Beso Lomidze and Dato Gogadze, were killed in the Avdiivka sector while defending Ukraine. 17 480 16 Previously in trend: War
Zelenskyy presented state awards to military on occasion of Ukrainian Volunteer Fighter Day. VIDEO&PHOTOS On the occasion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Fighter Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with servicemen and presented state awards, including the Order of the Golden Star and the Order of the Hero of Ukraine. 2 952 16
Lithuanian volunteer Tadas Tumas killed in battle for Ukraine near Bakhmut. PHOTO Defending Ukraine from the Russian invaders, Lithuanian volunteer Tadas Tumas (Giant) was killed in the battles near Bakhmut. 6 626 8 Previously in trend: War
Volunteer from Bulgaria Svetoslav Slavkov killed in fighting for Ukraine near Kupiansk. PHOTO Defending Ukraine from Russian invaders, a volunteer from Bulgaria, Svetoslav Slavkov, was killed in the battle of Kupiansk. 9 169 14 Previously in trend: War
American volunteer medic Ethan Hertweck killed in Kherson region. PHOTO 21-year-old US Marine Corps veteran Ethan Hurstweck was killed in action for Ukraine. 9 716 25
Volunteer fighter of Carpathian Sich from Colombia with call sign Bad Boy was killed while defending Ukraine. PHOTO A soldier of the separate Carpathian Sich battalion from Colombia with the call sign Bad Boy was killed while defending Ukraine from Russian invaders. 15 183 0 Previously in trend: War
Memorial Wall to Fallen Defenders of Ukraine Unveiled in Baku: Names of 26 Azerbaijani heroes inscribed on it. PHOTOS Wall of Remembrance of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine was unveiled in Azerbaijani capital Baku. To date, names of 26 Azerbaijani heroes who died liberating Ukrainian land from Russian occupiers are known. 17 864 64
Canadian International Legion volunteers Kyle Porter and Cole Zelenko killed near Bakhmut. PHOTOS Two volunteers from Canada, 27-year-old Kyle Porter and 21-year-old Cole Zelenko, were killed in fighting near Bakhmut. Both were members of International Legion, attached to 92nd Mechanised Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces. 22 886 33 Previously in trend: War
Operation of Ulf medical service in Bakhmut direction. PHOTOS Footage of evacuation work of medics of 1st separate assault unit of Right Sector Volunteer Ukrainian Corps has been published online. 6 457 2 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Ukrainian volunteer soldiers are fighting for our country every day and will certainly win: Zelensky awarded them. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainian volunteers fight for the state every day. 9 835 47
Memory of soldiers who died in war with Russian Federation since 2014 was commemorated in center of Kyiv. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Today, March 14, a ceremony was held to honor the soldiers who died in the Russian-Ukrainian war near the Wall of Memory of those who died for Ukraine, located near the St. Michael’s Golden-Top Monastery. 2 690 10 Previously in trend: War
Colombian volunteer Marquez Ramos was killed while protecting Ukraine in fight against russian invaders. PHOTO Columbian soldier from Legion of Liberty (National Guard) Marquez Ramos Cristian Camilo died in a close encounter with the russian occupant and did not take a single step back from his combat position. 16 484 0 Previously in trend: War
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