Over 1,000 Applications Submitted to Ukrainian Legion in Poland
22 December, 2024 Ukrainian military at EUMAM exercises, November 2022. Photo credits: General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces More than 1,000 applications have already been submitted to the Ukrainian Legion, which is being formed in Poland.
Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Vasyl Bondar stated this in his interview with Suspilne TV. According to the ambassador, the first set of contracts was signed in November, and the first Ukrainian unit was formed. The next enrollment is reportedly scheduled for January 10, 2025.
"I won't say the number now, as it is still kept as classified information at the request of the Ministry of Defense. In total, we have more than a thousand applications that are currently being considered by the relevant commission. We hope that this number will keep growing," Bondar said.
A volunteer of the Ukrainian Legion signs a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, November 12, 2024. Photo credits: Ukrinform
According to the ambassador, the Polish side has provided quite serious conditions for basic military training, equipment and staying at the relevant training grounds. Those who have completed this training characterize it as extremely positive.
First, the soldier undergoes basic military training in Poland, then, depending on the specialization of a particular soldier, he moves to specialized training grounds to prepare him for performing certain functions. After the training, the soldier is sent back to Ukraine. On November 17, the first volunteers of the Ukrainian Legion took the oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people.
A volunteer of the Ukrainian Legion takes an oath to the Ukrainian people in Poland.
Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
The oath was taken at one of the training grounds of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, where the first group of volunteers took the Military Oath of Allegiance to the Ukrainian people. The procedure for signing contracts to join the Ukrainian Legion takes place at the recruitment center set up at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Lublin.
Ukrainian Legion
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 2024 and offers service exclusively on a contract basis.
The unit is formed in Poland, and training is conducted by NATO instructors 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.
A volunteer of the Ukrainian Legion signs a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, November 12, 2024.
Photo credits: Ukrinform
If the medical examination is successful, the volunteer receives a date for signing the contract, usually two weeks after all the checks are completed.