First Ukrainian Legion volunteers sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine

12 November, 2024 A Ukrainian Legion volunteer signs a contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, November 12, 2024. Photo credits: Ukrinform In Poland, the first volunteers of the Ukrainian Legion signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukrinform reported on this. The contract signing procedure took place at the recruiting center deployed at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Lublin. According to the procedure, the head of the recruiting center asked each of the volunteers in turn to sign a contract, which they had read in advance.

Petro Gorkusha, a representative of the recruiting center, noted at a media briefing that, as of today, more than 600 people have applied to join the Ukrainian Legion.

A Ukrainian Legion volunteer signs a contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, November 12, 2024. Photo credits: Ukrinform

The Ukrainian Legion is the first volunteer unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine formed from Ukrainians living abroad. The Legion opened recruitment in early October this year and offers service exclusively on a contract basis.

The unit is formed in Poland, and NATO instructors conduct training at training grounds in partner countries. Candidates with Ukrainian passports are invited to a recruiting center for an interview with the commander, during which the position is determined, documents are checked, and a referral for a medical examination is issued. If the medical examination is successful, the volunteer receives a contract signing date, usually two weeks after all checks are completed.

"After signing the contract, the volunteers are forwarded to the training grounds to undergo training that will last 35 days. Later, the soldiers can be sent to one of the European NATO bases for several more months to improve their skills," Havryliuk added.

A Ukrainian soldier during a military exercise in Wiedzyn, Poland, December 7, 2023.

Photo credits: Kuba Stezycki

In forming the Legion, Ukraine will provide recruits with uniforms and other logistical support, while Poland will provide weapons and equipment. In July, Militarnyi reported that the Czech Ministry of Defense was also evaluating the Polish project from a practical and legal perspective. "The Ministry of Defense is collecting additional information from the Polish side on forming the so-called Ukrainian Legion.

When we have it, we will consider our possibilities of involvement," David Polak, the ministry's spokesman, shared with iDNES.cz.