Ukrainian Legion in Poland attracts over 500 applications from 30 countries in first month
As of the beginning of November, over 500 applications from 30 countries had been submitted to the Ukrainian Legion, a new military unit formed in Poland from Ukrainian volunteers abroad.
Ukrinform reports that this is stated in an analytical article on the creation of the Ukrainian Legion on Polish territory.
According to reports, the recruiting center at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Lublin, which has been operating since the beginning of October, received many applications from Ukrainians living in different parts of the world during the month of operation. The majority of applications come from Ukrainians from Poland and the Czech Republic, but there are also applicants from:
- United States,
- Canada,
- Great Britain,
- Ireland,
- other distant countries.
While not all of them may end up signing a contract with Ukraine's armed forces, the employees at the center view this as a positive outcome and recognize that it is just the start of their work.
Photo: Ukrinform
Individuals of varying ages and levels of professional experience are submitting their applications. The center reports that 90% of applicants are men and 10% are women. Regarding age, approximately half of the applications were submitted by individuals under 25.
"If we talk about military specialties, young people are more likely to declare their desire to join assault units or be UAV operators.
Seniors tend to take positions close to their specialties in peaceful life, for example, in material support units," the center representative noted.
Among the volunteers are individuals with diverse backgrounds, ranging from students willing to take a break from their studies to serve to older individuals who have experience working overseas as construction workers or truck drivers. Women, in particular, often opt for medical specialties, although some are also intrigued by the sniper position.
Representatives of the center emphasize that the choice of specialization in the Legion is not limited, everyone can choose the role that best matches their skills and aspirations.
Approximately 80% of all Ukrainians who applied to join the Legion have no connection to the army; for example, they did not serve in Ukraine's armed forces.
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On July 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signed a joint security agreement. They have also agreed for Kyiv and Warsaw to cooperate in training Security and Defense Forces personnel. Additionally, they have decided to create a unit of Ukrainian volunteer fighters in Poland.
The country's leader announced that the Ukrainian Legion will undergo training in Poland and be equipped by partners. Any Ukrainian citizen who chooses to join the legion can sign a contract with Ukraine's armed forces. Currently, both sides are finalizing the details of these agreements.
On October 3, the first recruiting center for volunteer citizens of Ukraine for the Armed Forces was opened on the basis of the Consulate of Ukraine in Lublin, Poland. In the first days, 138 applications for interviews were received through the website and another 58 through consular offices.
The Ukrainian Legion recruiting center is located in Poland. It operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the base of the Ukrainian consulate in Lublin, Spokojna, 2. The center's phone number is +38(093)806-20-68.
Volunteers can also submit an application on the official website of the Ukrainian Legion or through consulates and embassies.