First Unit of Ukrainian Legion Heads to Ukraine for Training
The first unit of the Ukrainian Legion, a volunteer force being formed in Poland, has begun its journey to Ukraine. This development was revealed by Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar in an interview with Radio Svoboda and European Truth.
Ambassador Bodnar noted that the initial training of these volunteer legionnaires will continue on Ukrainian training grounds. He also mentioned that the next batch of volunteers will sign contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces on January 10 and proceed to a Polish training camp.
"This is truly a story of success," Bodnar said, "though some politicians or Russian propaganda might try to spin it negatively. We wish the process could be faster, but it’s moving forward. We’re working to ensure this information reaches the public in all EU countries and potentially beyond."
Bodnar emphasized that the legion is entirely voluntary and can only be motivated by voluntary incentives.
The exact number of volunteers was not disclosed by the ambassador.
Background:
- In early November, over 500 applications were received from 30 countries for the Ukrainian Legion in Poland.
- In October, Poland’s Minister of National Defense, Vladislav Cosiniak-Kamysz, stated that the number of Ukrainian volunteers willing to join the legion was extremely low.
- Later that month, Poland’s Chargé d’Affaires in Ukraine, Piotr Lukasewicz, declared that Poland is ready to train Ukrainian recruits, but Ukraine must first gather a sufficient number of candidates.
