About 16,000 foreign volunteers serve in Ukraine’s armed forces — military ombudsman
She also said that since the Office of the Military Ombudsman began its work on January 27, it has received more than 300 appeals from foreign volunteers, their relatives, and authorized representatives.
The appeals most often concern:
The Office has created a separate working group to handle such issues. It supports foreign service members at all stages of their service — from joining the military to discharge, returning home, or adapting to civilian life in Ukraine.
In addition, the Office of the Military Ombudsman prepared proposals to improve legislation protecting the rights of foreign volunteers and submitted them to the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Defense. Diplomats also received a mechanism for cooperation with the Office to ensure the prompt review of appeals from foreign service members and their families.
Background
In 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi appealed to all citizens of foreign states who are friends of Ukraine, urging them to join the effort to defend security in Europe and around the world. Later, a separate unit was formed from foreigners — the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine.
Earlier, separate International Legions operated within the Defense Forces under the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. In February 2026, Ukraine's international defense legions were integrated into assault units of the Ground Forces. After the transformation, service members received expanded service opportunities, access to additional weapons, and the resources of regular formations.
On February 9, 2026, the president of Ukraine signed a law defining the legal status and social guarantees for foreign volunteers and stateless persons serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As Rubryka reported earlier, volunteers from 75 countries serve in units of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On average, about 600 foreigners sign contracts every month.
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9 of August 2026
