Ukraine offering citizenship to people joining its army

With the use of foreign mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict under the spotlight, Kyiv is now offering citizenship to people who join its army.

Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both countries have suffered massive casualties in their respective armies.

Both countries have enlisted the help of foreign fighters from across the world, with South African law enforcement authorities investigating a case of 17 men allegedly duped into fighting on the frontlines for Russia.

ALSO READ: Ukrainian govt says foreign soldiers weren’t manipulated to join its army

Before Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine had intentions of joining NATO as a security measure against the Kremlin.

The ongoing onflict has made joining NATO almost impossible for Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities who spoke to EWN said that without protection from NATO, its army was never going to hold off Russia for as long as it had without outside help.

Ukraine’s military ombudsperson, Olha Reshetylova, said government had created incentives for foreign fighters to join them.

"We have a newly adopted law which allows them to have Ukrainian citizenship after a year of serving. Many have their own lives here in Ukraine, they are engaged in Ukraine social life and many of them want to stay here for a very long time, so Ukraine proposes they have citizenship as well."

The Ukrainian government says joining its military was voluntary and it did not engage in false recruitment.