Ukrainian govt says foreign fighters within army ranks treated equally as local soldiers

The Ukrainian government said foreign fighters within its army ranks are treated equally as its local soldiers.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has steadily been growing its ground forces, either through conscription for locals or voluntary enlisting for foreigners.

At the same time, Russia has also been bolstering its ranks with foreign fighters, with at least 17 of them coming from South Africa in controversial circumstances.

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For most democratic countries across the world, mercenary activities are illegal.

However, that has not stopped both Russia and Ukraine from enlisting foreign fighters within their respective armies, offering financial and social incentives.

As a result of the war, the Ukrainian government has recently created a military ombud position.

Military ombudsperson Olha Reshetylova said it’s important that human rights laws are respected, especially in times of war.

“My task as the military ombudsperson is to create this infrastructure for protecting the human rights for foreign fighters, as well and to be sure they are treated equal with the Ukrainian fighters. We are working on this, and I hope that we will do this as soon as possible because we need those fighters, we really need them.”

She said parts of her job is also to ensure foreign fighters who die in the war are repatriated to their home country.