Ukraine seeks foreign commanders amid recruitment struggles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a new law allowing foreign nationals to serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in command roles. 

This legislation, passed by Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada on October 10, expands the scope of foreign service beyond enlisting foreign nationals as rank-and-file soldiers and sergeants, now also permitting them to take up officer positions, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Yehor Cherniev, Deputy Head of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, acknowledged ongoing recruitment challenges, particularly in filling command positions. Cherniev noted that Ukraine plans to address this gap by recruiting former Western military personnel who have been discharged from active duty.

The new recruitment measures come amid increased reports of intensified enforcement actions targeting men eligible for military service. Ukrainian media have documented a rise in such operations, leading to occasional discontent among locals. In Odessa, for example, a protest erupted at the "Seventh Kilometer" market in response to recent detentions of men subject to conscription.

By Khagan Isayev