Ukraine Creates National Guard Recruitment Center for Foreign Volunteers

On September 18, the Ukrainian government approved a Recruitment Center for Foreigners and Stateless Persons within the National Guard of Ukraine. Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said the center will centralize recruitment for foreign volunteers, handling interviews, background checks, credential verification, medical evaluations and training before deployment to combat units. The aim is to accelerate intake so vetted volunteers can reinforce frontline formations more quickly.

The National Guard will establish a recruitment center for foreign volunteers — government supports the initiative Kyiv IndependentUnited24 MediaUkraine Backs Foreign Recruitment Center for National Guard

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, thousands of international volunteers have fought in Ukraine, mainly through the International Legion. The influx exposed administrative bottlenecks and inconsistent vetting. Ukrainian authorities therefore embedded a dedicated recruitment hub inside the National Guard, which operates under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and includes elite formations such as the 1st Azov Corps and 2nd Khartiia Corps.

Kyiv Independent

• May 5, 2026 (scheduled): Plans announced to create a unified coordination center for foreign nationals’ military service.

Ukraine Backs Foreign Recruitment Center for National Guard

• September 18: Prime Minister Koretskyi confirmed government approval of the Recruitment Center within the National Guard.

The National Guard will establish a recruitment center for foreign volunteers — government supports the initiative

• Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated the goal of filling 30 % to 50 % of assault and infantry positions with foreign volunteers.

Kyiv Independent

• The International Legion has incorporated “thousands” of foreign volunteers since 2022.

Ukraine Backs Foreign Recruitment Center for National Guard

Formalizing foreign recruitment addresses two challenges: replacing personnel losses and providing contractual guarantees, pay and medical coverage comparable to Ukrainian servicemembers. By streamlining interviews, checks and training, the center should reduce the time from application to deployment, enhancing combat readiness under sustained Russian pressure.

Ukraine Backs Foreign Recruitment Center for National Guard

Prime Minister Koretskyi emphasized that recruiting foreign volunteers is a state priority and that the new center will “scale up this work” to attract more individuals ready to defend Ukraine. Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President, noted the need for a single coordination hub covering all stages from selection to training, and said legal updates are being prepared to resolve regulatory challenges. Former Defense Minister Fedorov highlighted the target of allocating up to half of assault-role slots to foreign fighters, framing the initiative as essential for sustaining offensive operations.

United24 Media

• “Recruiting foreign volunteers to the Defense Forces is one of the state's priorities. The task is to scale up this work and attract more people to the Ukrainian army who are ready to defend our state together with Ukrainians,” — Serhii Koretskyi, prime minister

United24 Media

Sources differ on the chronology: a May 5, 2026 announcement described a planned “unified coordination center,” while the September 18 approval formalized placement within the National Guard. No source provides detailed staffing levels, budget allocations, or the timeline for the center’s operational launch.

Ukraine Backs Foreign Recruitment Center for National Guard