Recruitment of foreigners for military service in Ukraine — rules

Foreigners and stateless people can join the Armed Forces of Ukraine under a contract. Clear criteria for selecting such people and the procedure for medical examination have been established.

This was stated in the decree of the Ukrainian President "Provision on Military Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine by Foreigners and Stateless People".

What is the procedure for selecting foreigners for military service under a contract

The selection of foreigners and stateless people is carried out by military units and military commissariats. They take into account their previous experience of military service, speciality and education.

If a foreigner does not have combat experience, then after being accepted for military service, they must undergo training in units or training centres to obtain the appropriate military occupational speciality.

In general, there are the following stages of the selection of foreigners for military service under a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

•    preliminary review of the personal qualities of foreigners before military service;
•    a written referral from the commanders of military units (if necessary);
•    medical examination of foreigners;
•    professional and psychological selection of foreigners;
•    verification of information submitted by foreigners in accordance with the procedure established by these Regulations;
•    registration of personal files of foreigners;
•    referral from military units for further military service.

Foreigners must submit to the military enlistment offices at their place of residence a corresponding statement of their desire to sign a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as a written consent to the collection and processing of personal data in the prescribed form. If necessary, a written consent to the verification of the submitted information is also attached.

Later, foreigners undergo a medical examination by military medical commissions of the relevant military commissariat. In case of successful selection for military service, a personal file is opened for the foreigner.

What is included in the personal file of a foreigner who is willing to sign a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine

•    A certificate from the military medical commission on fitness for military service;
•    A professional selection card for a foreigner in the form established by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense;
•    A certificate on the results of verification of the information submitted by the foreigner;
•    A copy of the foreigner's valid passport or a document identifying a stateless person;
•    Information about the family or close relatives of the foreigner.

After registration of the personal file, the foreigner is sent with a prescription from the military commissariat to military units, which must comply with written consents. Their level of physical fitness will be checked there, and then a contract will be finally drawn up for foreigners to undergo the appropriate type of military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As a reminder, the Ukrainian Parliament has passed a bill that allows foreigners and stateless people to sign a contract with the Armed Forces.

In addition, the commander of the "Azov" Brigade urged foreigners to join his unit in order to defend the freedom of the civilized world.