LOS ANGELES (KNX) — A number of frustrated American veterans, along with people around the world, have heard the call for soldiers and are looking into how they can sign up to help fight for Ukraine. But is it actually possible? Howard Altman, the managing editor at Military Times, joined KNX In Depth to discuss.
“It’s called the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine,” Altman said, explaining that he recently wrote an article about it and several people have asked him for details. “The Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy created that and so a lot of people have been reaching out, they want to go help.”
It’s not the easiest process to go through, but it’s doable, Altman said. So far, officials have told him that about 2,000 people from around the world have signed up. But all have proven that they have been in combat before.
“It’s not like you can just go over there and fight, it’s a stringent process,” Altman said. “They don’t want anyone just going over there and wandering around.”
The process involves reaching out to the Embassy of Ukraine in your country and letting them know that you are interested in joining the Foreign Legion of Defense. From there, documents such as ID and passport will need to be gathered, in addition to documents confirming military service or work with law enforcement agencies and documents proving that you’ve been in combat.
Altman said from there, you’ll arrange an interview in which documents will be reviewed and write an application for enlistment.
If approved, you’ll receive instructions about how to get to Ukraine and what to bring with you - such as clothing, equipment and tactical gear.
“I know people who are in the process of doing this…there’s people who have already done it. The effort is ongoing, it’s burgeoning, it’s just the beginning,” Altman said. “I think more people will be trying to get over to Ukraine.”
As day six of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine comes to an end, Altman said it’s unclear how much longer the fight could continue.
“A senior defense official at the pentagon talked to us this morning talking about how, in some cases, the Russians are abandoning equipment — surrendering. In some cases, they don’t have food or gasoline…to continue this effort,” he said.
“They can’t have teeth without a tail. So there’s been some logistical problems and also the Ukrainians have put up an incredible fight. These are people who are fighting for their country. You have troops, you have citizens, people are making molotov cocktails…people with guns all over ready to defend their country.”
Regardless of Ukraine’s response though, Altman said it’s unclear where the fight will go as Russia’s overwhelming military “learns from the mistakes it’s made” early on and develops its plan of attack.
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