Foreign military defending Ukraine may receive combatant status – Defense Ministry
13 May 19:23
Foreigners and stateless persons who are fighting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the State Special Transport Service can officially receive the status of combatants.
This was announced by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
This is an important signal to the international community: Ukraine recognizes the contribution of foreign volunteers and the military to the joint fight against Russian aggression.
According to Colonel Serhiy Halymsky, the procedure for granting foreigners the status of combatants is identical to that of Ukrainian citizens.
The Ministry of Defense emphasized that according to the law “On the Status of War Veterans,” all those who took a direct part in the defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty and security are recognized as combatants. Foreigners who serve in the Armed Forces on legal grounds are also equated with them.
Today, thousands of foreign nationals from more than 50 countries are fighting in the Ukrainian army, from the United States and the United Kingdom to Georgia and Brazil. Granting them the status of combatants is not just a formality, but a recognition of their heroism and solidarity with Ukraine.
