As Russia prepares for a new offensive, Kyiv is desperate for more soldiers.

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski has issued a decree that allows foreigners who legally reside in Ukraine to join its National Guard, a paramilitary branch of the Ministry of Interior Affairs. 

Formed in November 1991 – and reorganized in March 2014, the National Guard, which is similar to Gendarmerie in France or Romania, plays a major role in the ongoing war against Russia. It takes part in active combat alongside the regular armed forces, secures critical infrastructure, and protects the state border. During peacetimes, its troops mostly carry out ceremonial duties, provide civilian rescue and relief during emergencies, and patrol around official buildings.

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Currently, the National Guard consists of Ukrainian nationals only, who either volunteer for service or are called under mobilization orders.

Foreigners instead are recruited for the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine, since February 2022. 

According to official estimates, the National Guard numbers at least 60,000 men and the International Legion has 30,000 fighters (independent reports credit this force at maximum 3,000 foreign volunteers). The legionnaires are involved in a variety of operations such as counter-espionage, clandestine military activities, urban warfare, and intelligence gathering.

By different accounts, the nationals from more than 50 countries have joined the International Legion, with most volunteers being professional military from Poland, Russia, Belarus, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany. 

In January 2024, Ukraine simplified the citizenship awarding procedure for foreigners willing to fight for Ukraine.

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Russia, in turn, has created financial incentives and simplified the residency rules for nationals of Asian and ex-Soviet countries who fight on its side against the eastern neighbor. According to CNN, Moscow recently recruited 15,000 Nepalese for the war, as well as many nationals of Syria, Cuba, and even African residents.

Observers believe that while easing the citizenship application for foreigners could help to a certain extent, mass mobilization of its own citizens remains the best solution to rebuild the decimated Ukrainian army.

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