r/ukraine • u/BubsyFanboy Poland • 1d ago
News First Ukrainian Legion unit trained in Poland deployed to Ukraine, ambassador says
https://kyivindependent.com/first-ukrainian-legion-unit-trained-in-poland-deployed-to-ukraine-ambassador-says/14
u/BubsyFanboy Poland 1d ago
The first unit of the Ukrainian Legion, a volunteer brigade being formed and trained in Poland, has departed for Ukraine, Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Dec. 23.
Bodnar didn't clarify how many troops were sent.
The initiative aims to bolster Ukraine’s Armed Forces by recruiting Ukrainian men living in Poland and other EU countries.
The training of the first legionnaires will continue at Ukrainian military grounds, according to Bodnar. The next group of volunteers is scheduled to sign contracts with Ukraine's Armed Forces on Jan. 10 and begin training in Poland.
The ambassador described the project as a "success story" despite challenges and criticism from Russian propaganda.
“Our citizens who join it will have the satisfaction of good training,” he said, emphasizing the unit’s voluntary nature.
Since its unveiling in July, the Ukrainian Legion has attracted over 1,000 applicants. The first recruitment center opened in October at the Ukrainian consulate in Lublin, Poland.
The unit is trained by the Polish Armed Forces as part of a joint effort between Kyiv and Warsaw to address Ukraine's manpower shortages.
Ukraine recently reformed its domestic mobilization policies and is in talks with foreign partners to facilitate the return of thousands of draft-eligible citizens who fled abroad.
The formation of the Ukrainian Legion reflects Kyiv's broader efforts to replenish its military ranks as the war is in its third year.
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u/ReadyExamination5239 1d ago
Poland knows how to defeat Russia. Poland will be the backbone of Europe.
3
u/gagaron_pew 15h ago
i would argue the backbone goes from poland through the baltics to finland. sweden can maybe be a shoulder? and slovakia and hungary the ass cheeks.
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u/Constant-Recording54 Lithuania 12h ago
Yeah, I still can't believe all of Scandinavia is united in one alliance, Baltics and Poland are still first targets, but what a shoulder we got!
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u/Rexerex 1d ago
After training in Poland weren't they supposed to continue specialized training in NATO facilities across Europe?
https://mod.gov.ua/en/news/first-volunteers-of-the-ukrainian-legion-sign-contracts-and-begin-basic-training
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u/StinkEPinkE81 1d ago
It just says they're going to train in Ukraine for now, it doesn't state their long term training routine. They might just be training in Ukraine short term while NATO countries make room elsewhere
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u/AgreeableMeaning1228 1d ago
They aimed for 30.000 afaik. I guess its not worth it with so few volunteers.
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u/wailingsixnames 1d ago
Every bit helps, wish them success, and hope they stay safe as possible, and continue to grow
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