Foreigners volunteering to join the Ukrainian Army will have the freedom to choose their combat roles under new a system designed to make the most of the skills they can bring to the military.
Ukraine’s Ground Forces published the updated approach in a statement on Facebook on Nov. 16, saying the new system aims to place foreign volunteers where their skills are most needed.
What is new?
The armed forces said earlier recruitment systems created in 2022 were designed for the war’s most critical early phase, when speed was essential, and many foreign fighters were rapidly placed into units that could take them.
According to the Ground Forces, combat conditions have since evolved, prompting a shift toward a more targeted deployment based on a volunteer’s previous training, military experience, and personal preferences.
Under the new model, foreigners who sign a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will be able to choose the brigade or branch of service most suited to their abilities. Officials said this approach will give foreign soldiers equal opportunities with Ukrainian troops and allow the military to assign them more efficiently across the front.
Kostiantyn Milevskyi, who oversees foreign enlistment within Ukraine’s armed forces, said nearly 40% of foreign volunteers now serving in Ukraine come from South America – a regional surge that did not exist in the first years of the war.
He said citizens from 72 countries currently serve in the AFU, and monthly recruitment has increased from around 150 volunteers in 2022 to roughly 600 this year.
In August, United24 Media – an official Ukrainian government communications platform – said about 8,000 foreign volunteers were serving in Ukraine’s ground forces and about 24,000 across all branches of the AFU, including support and logistics roles.
Transparent, understandable and effective
In the statement, Ukraine’s Ground Forces praised the contribution of foreign fighters, saying their commitment, motivation, and sacrifice had strengthened the country’s defenses. They added that they would continue developing “transparent, understandable and effective” mechanisms that enable foreigners to serve alongside Ukrainian troops.
The new recruitment model comes as Ukraine works to bolster its manpower while managing battlefield fatigue and shortages across several brigades. Allowing foreign volunteers to select specific units is seen as a way to match motivated recruits with undermanned formations, particularly in sectors requiring specialized knowledge such as drone operations, artillery, engineering, and medical evacuation.