Ukrainian Legion in Poland forming only on paper, journalist says / The New Voice of Ukraine

Recruitment center of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland (Photo: Ukraine's Defense Ministry via Telegram)

The Ukrainian Legion is currently forming only on paper, accordingto the Ukrainian journalist Oksana Babakova, based in Warsaw, as she discussedin an interview for NV’s article “Why Poles Have ‘Fallen Out of Love’ withUkraine.”

The article notes that, according to recent estimates, thereare 300,000 conscript-age Ukrainian men living in Poland, and efforts torecruit them have so far been unsuccessful. “There is no legal way to do thisunder Polish law, despite the loud statements from politicians claiming thatsuch a mechanism is allegedly being developed. The Ukrainian Legion in Polandis currently forming only on paper,” Babakova said.

On Sept. 9, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna reported that recruitmentfor the announced Ukrainian Legion in Poland, where Ukrainians abroad couldreceive training, had not yet begun. This refers to the legion that UkrainianPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during the signing of a security agreementwith Poland in early July.

During the NATO summit in Washington, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that several thousand Ukrainians had already registered for the legion. However, it later became known that “the ministerwas either misinformed or a game of ‘telephone’ had occurred,” and thatofficial registration had not yet begun at that time.

Earlier reports indicated that the creation of a volunteerUkrainian Legion in Poland, potentially involving foreigners, was outlined in abilateral security agreement signed on July 8. Any citizen of Ukraine whodecides to join the volunteer legion will be able to sign a contract with theArmed Forces of Ukraine.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that volunteers wouldreceive modern training from allies in Poland, Lithuania, and other EUcountries, and that the legion would be equipped with the best equipment toenhance its battlefield effectiveness.

On Oct. 1, a recruitment center for the Ukrainian Legionopened in the Polish city of Lublin. In the first few days of operation, therecruitment center received 138 applications for interviews via its website andanother 58 through consular offices.

On Oct. 4, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamyszannounced that about 300 individuals had expressed their readiness to join theUkrainian Legion. On Oct. 8, it was reported that 196 people had applied tojoin the Ukrainian Legion.

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Теги: Ukrainian Legion Poland Warsaw Ukrainian Armed Forces Rustem Umerov Volodymyr Zelenskyy