Ukrainian Legion in Lublin expands

The fifth group of volunteer fighters from the Ukrainian Legion signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Lublin, southeastern Poland, on Friday, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

Petro Horkusha, a representative of the recruitment center at Ukraine's Consulate General in Lublin, told that several dozen people signed contracts, most of whom were residing in Poland at the time.

"This group includes several dozen Ukrainian citizens who expressed a desire to join the Ukrainian Legion. The majority were living in Poland at the time of signing, with some volunteers coming from Slovakia and the United Kingdom," Horkusha said.

The volunteers range in age from 21 to 53, including three women. According to Horkusha, younger recruits generally want to become drone operators, while those of middle age often prefer artillery roles. Some have backgrounds in international transportation and have applied for driver positions.

"Some volunteers, both men and women, have medical training and have decided to join medical units, either in battalion or division aid posts, or as combat medics in platoons or companies," he added.

Horkusha noted that volunteers from the first four groups completed training in Poland and are now undergoing combat coordination at a temporary deployment site in Ukraine, outside the combat zone. Those who have served six months under contract may transfer to other units.

"Many candidates for the Ukrainian Legion are originally from the Kharkiv region. Several have joined territorial defense battalions stationed there, such as Kharkiv-1, to serve alongside their comrades," Horkusha said, adding that about ten Legion servicemembers have already transferred to other units.

The Ukrainian Legion was established in early July 2024 when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signed a security agreement in Warsaw. One provision calls for training Ukrainian military units in Poland.

Volunteers can sign a one-year contract (for those aged 18–24), a three-year contract, or serve until the end of the special period. After signing, they undergo 45 days of training at a range near Lublin, with instruction from NATO trainers. Those requiring specialized training may receive it elsewhere.

Under the agreement, Ukraine supplies Legion volunteers with uniforms and medical supplies, while Poland provides infrastructure, equipment, and weapons during training.

The first Ukrainian Legion group signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in November last year, the second in January, the third in late February, and the fourth in early June.