Zelenskyy signed decree allowing foreigners to serve in National Guard

Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree allowing foreigners and stateless individuals to serve in the National Guard, according to the official website of the President of Ukraine.

The decree states that foreigners who meet the requirements for military service can voluntarily join the National Guard of Ukraine.

“Foreigners who are lawfully present in the territory of Ukraine, have no previous convictions, and meet the requirements for military service as defined by the Law of Ukraine On Military Duty and Military Service, may be accepted on a voluntary basis (by contract) for military service in the National Guard of Ukraine (from now on – military service),” as indicated on the president’s website.

Foreigners can serve in the army on a contract basis in various positions, both as enlisted personnel and in sergeant and senior positions. To undergo military service, foreigners must apply to the territorial recruitment and social support center in their residence or directly to the military unit where they wish to serve under contract.

“The territorial recruitment and social support centers, to which foreigners who expressed a desire to undergo military service under contract in the National Guard of Ukraine have applied, shall send such individuals to the respective military units of the National Guard of Ukraine,” the president’s decree states.

Recruitment for military service

For foreigners to undergo military service, the following steps are required:

Submit an application:

・Fill out an application expressing the desire to serve under contract.

・Consent to the processing of personal data.

・Consent to the verification of the provided information.

・Submission format can be either in paper or electronic form.

Foreigners accepted into military service go through:

・Mandatory medical examination by the military medical commission at the healthcare institution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

・Professional-psychological selection.

・Achievement of physical fitness standards set by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

“Also, foreigners undergo a mandatory medical examination by the military medical commission at the healthcare institution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, professional-psychological selection, and must meet the physical fitness standards specified by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine,” as stated in the decree.