Poland States ‘Ukrainian Legion’ Has Garnered Only 300 Volunteers
According to a report from Warsaw, there has been an insufficient number of Ukrainian expats stepping forward to undergo military training for deployment back to their home country to fight. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
According to Warsaw, the expat force was expected to return and fight for their country after undergoing military training.
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz addressed journalists on Friday regarding the situation, stating that not enough Ukrainians living abroad have volunteered to take part in military training in order to return home and fight. He revealed that only around 300 individuals have signed up over the past three months.
The establishment of what was referred to as the ‘Ukrainian Legion’ was first announced by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in early July.
This unit was created to “unite” Ukrainian volunteer troops who are permanently residing in Poland with those from other EU countries, as reported by local media. These individuals would receive training from the Polish Army before being sent back to fight for Ukraine.
At the time of the announcement, potential volunteers were promised improved training and equipment provided by Kiev’s Western allies, as well as various legal and financial incentives from Warsaw. Polish officials initially suggested that thousands had expressed interest in joining the unit.
However, Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that training was set to commence on September 1 but that there simply weren't enough volunteers to form the unit. “I've heard about 300 people,” he remarked when asked about the number of individuals willing to join the legion. The minister mentioned that the target size for the unit was one brigade, which typically consists of around 5,000 troops in NATO.
Kosiniak-Kamysz indicated that the situation regarding the legion might improve following actions taken by Kiev related to “information, recruitment and promotion of this process.” Earlier this week, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry revealed plans to establish an enlistment center for the legion in the Polish city of Lublin. Reports suggest the Ukrainian Consulate has already begun recruiting volunteers in the city.
As of July this year, over 4 million Ukrainians who have fled their country since 2022 had been granted temporary protection status in EU nations, with adult men accounting for slightly more than one-fifth of that total, according to Eurostat data.
In the wake of the conflict with Moscow, Ukraine initiated a general mobilization but has faced challenges in replenishing its troops on the battlefield. The draft campaign has been plagued by widespread avoidance and allegations of corruption.
To encourage draft-eligible men to return to Ukraine, the government has restricted consular services for them abroad and limited their ability to update necessary documents. Additionally, senior Ukrainian officials have appealed to Western nations to repatriate draft-dodgers.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz addressed journalists on Friday regarding the situation, stating that not enough Ukrainians living abroad have volunteered to take part in military training in order to return home and fight. He revealed that only around 300 individuals have signed up over the past three months.
The establishment of what was referred to as the ‘Ukrainian Legion’ was first announced by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in early July.
This unit was created to “unite” Ukrainian volunteer troops who are permanently residing in Poland with those from other EU countries, as reported by local media. These individuals would receive training from the Polish Army before being sent back to fight for Ukraine.
At the time of the announcement, potential volunteers were promised improved training and equipment provided by Kiev’s Western allies, as well as various legal and financial incentives from Warsaw. Polish officials initially suggested that thousands had expressed interest in joining the unit.
However, Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that training was set to commence on September 1 but that there simply weren't enough volunteers to form the unit. “I've heard about 300 people,” he remarked when asked about the number of individuals willing to join the legion. The minister mentioned that the target size for the unit was one brigade, which typically consists of around 5,000 troops in NATO.
Kosiniak-Kamysz indicated that the situation regarding the legion might improve following actions taken by Kiev related to “information, recruitment and promotion of this process.” Earlier this week, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry revealed plans to establish an enlistment center for the legion in the Polish city of Lublin. Reports suggest the Ukrainian Consulate has already begun recruiting volunteers in the city.
As of July this year, over 4 million Ukrainians who have fled their country since 2022 had been granted temporary protection status in EU nations, with adult men accounting for slightly more than one-fifth of that total, according to Eurostat data.
In the wake of the conflict with Moscow, Ukraine initiated a general mobilization but has faced challenges in replenishing its troops on the battlefield. The draft campaign has been plagued by widespread avoidance and allegations of corruption.
To encourage draft-eligible men to return to Ukraine, the government has restricted consular services for them abroad and limited their ability to update necessary documents. Additionally, senior Ukrainian officials have appealed to Western nations to repatriate draft-dodgers.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
