Ukraine seeks to allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to operate abroad

8 January, 2025 Operator of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine during the evacuation of citizens from Afghanistan. Photo: DIU The Parliament has registered a draft law that regulates the mechanism for deploying units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the territory of other states that are not aggressors to ensure national security and defense.

The draft law on amendments to certain laws of Ukraine, No.

12378, was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on January 7. The amendments will allow the deployment of Armed Forces units in other countries during martial law to take measures aimed at ensuring national security. "During the period of martial law, formations, military units, and subdivisions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine may be deployed to other states in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Ukraine and stay on the territory of these states to carry out measures related to national security and defense, repulsion and deterrence of armed aggression against Ukraine, protection of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the exercise of the right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations," the proposed document reads.

Ukrainian soldier in Sudan.

Photo credits: Babel

The relevant decision will be made by the President of Ukraine, who will simultaneously submit a draft law to approve such a decision to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. This procedure does not apply to cases when it comes to the deployment of troops on the territory of a state that is carrying out armed aggression against Ukraine. Along with the draft law, the President must submit information on the tasks, total number of these units, type, and composition of their weapons and military equipment, subordination, duration of stay, and procedure for possible extension, replacement of the unit's personnel, and maintenance.

The explanatory note to the draft law states that the amendments will improve the mechanisms for sending and staying of military and individual units on the territory of partner countries during martial law. This will facilitate the acquisition of sophisticated military equipment and its professional development.

Ukrainian Defense Forces' activities abroad

It is worth noting that the draft law itself describes the activities of the Armed Forces units in general terms, which are not limited to training of the Ukrainian military abroad. Other components of the Defense Forces have previously conducted military operations in third countries.

In particular, representatives of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine officially reported on fulfilling tasks in Sudan aimed at ensuring national security and defense.

In August 2021, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine also conducted a successful ground operation to evacuate more than 700 citizens of Ukraine and other countries from Afghanistan during the Taliban's seizure of power.

Soldiers of the 10th separate detachment of Special Forces of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine at the Kabul airport, August 2021.

Photo credits: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Last July, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine supported the draft Law on International Defense Companies, which effectively regulates the activities of Ukrainian private military companies.