Urgent warning to Brits as Ukraine permits foreigners to affix ‘meat grinder’ struggle
British volunteers will be able to join the Ukrainian Army as officers after officials in Kyiv changed the country’s law this week.
The move means any foreign volunteer – including those listed as stateless – can step forward and apply to serve as an officer, providing their pass the entrance test.
But the move has sparked a strong warning from a former Royal Artillery soldier who has visited the wartorn country.
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At present more than 7,000 ‘foreign fighters’ are serving in what is called the international legion, with at least 850 reported to be from the United Kingdom and USA.
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
The move to change the law and allow non-Ukrainians to become officers was approved by Kyiv’s government, the Verkhivna Rada, with more than 276 MPs supporting the amendment to Ukrainian law.
A new centre for Foreign Recruitment is to be established where personnel can expect criminal checks and an entrance exam followed by what the Ukrainians have dubbed an ‘eastern Sandhurst’ selection process.
But instead of the year-long training faced by UK applicants the course is expected to last just six weeks in order for commanders get the newly trained officers on the front line.
The move to recruit external officers has been made after Ukrainian commanders recognised that they are running out of soldiers in a brutal war that costs so many lives many refer to it as the ‘meat grinder’.
(Image: Getty Images)
Since the war started in 2022 at least eight Brits have lost their lives fighting for Ukraine – including a former paratrooper who it is believed was shot by his own side.
The first British soldier to die fighting for Ukraine was Scott Sibley, 36, of Lincolnshire, who have served with the Logistics Corps died on 22 April 2022 in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine, after a drone strike on his regiment.
(Image: Facebook)
Just weeks later Jordan Gatley, 24, who served with the Rifles regiment, died in the battle for the eastern city of Severodonetsk, after being shot by a Russian sniper.
Mark Chapman who served with the Royal Artillery, warned anyone who is thinking about going to Ukraine to think twice before they make the decision.
He said : “I have been there and it is a mug’s game, they don’t value us, the training is limited and all they want is to get you on the frontline as quickly as possible. My advice is to stay away.”
