After Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine on February 24 and began targeting civilians and infrastructure from the first days, the Ukrainian state called on foreigners to join the fight for peace and democracy in Europe and around the world.

Ukraine has created an International Legion (official website: https://ildu.com.ua/) composed of foreign nationals who want to help Ukrainian soldiers in the fight against the Russian occupiers.

On March 1, a temporary visa-free regime was temporarily introduced for foreigners who want to join the defense of Ukraine (except for citizens of the aggressor state).

Requirements for candidates:  

• 18-60 years old
• No criminal record  
• Absence of chronic diseases
• Physical fitness (all candidates must pass a medical examination)
• Possibility of legal entry to Ukraine
• Combat experience is an advantage;
• Military or relevant experience is an advantage

Tip: Military experience is not required, but increases the chances of being accepted. Other relevant experience may include work in law enforcement, paramilitary organizations, firefighting, etc.;

How to join the International Legion

1. In particular, to join the ranks of the International Defense Legion of Ukraine, you need to apply by sending an e-mail to [email protected] with the appropriate intention and specify what documents and clothing (equipment) are required or recommended.
2. Next, an application is submitted for enlistment in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for voluntary military service under a contract.
3. After that, the legionnaire will receive instructions on how to travel in Ukraine, the necessary documents and equipment. It is recommended to bring a military kit, such as clothing or its elements, equipment, helmet, body armor, etc.

If necessary, representatives of the Ukrainian embassies and consulates will provide assistance along the way.

1. Upon arriving at the assembly point in Ukraine, the legionnaire signs a contract and joins the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine. After that, he is ready to join the battle against the occupiers together with fighters from all over the world and Ukrainian soldiers.

4 steps to apply: 

1) Download and fill out this form - https://bit.ly/3BSVjAh

2) Scan your passport

3) Scan documents confirming your military or relevant experience (if any)

4) Send the completed form and scans of documents to the e-mail address [email protected].

This is a secure mailbox of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (domain name gov.ua).

A list of the main documents required to join the International Legion:

• an internal document;
• a passport for traveling abroad;
• documents confirming military service (service in law enforcement agencies) and participation in hostilities.

How long do I have to wait for a response?

The first letter is usually answered within 14 days. After confirming that your file has been offered to departments, it will take approximately 21 days for a sufficient number of departments to see your file and make a conclusion about whether your chances of being accepted are high enough. So: 14 days for the first response, 21 days for the second response;

Is it possible to become a resident or citizen of Ukraine through service?

Yes, your contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine can be used as a legal basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit, and a residence permit is a path to citizenship. In addition, there are several legislative initiatives to simplify the process of obtaining citizenship for foreign veterans.

How long does the contract last? Can it be terminated?

The contract lasts for 3 years and can be extended automatically. Yes, you can terminate it at your own request, but not during a combat mission.

A list of answers to the most frequently asked questions can be found here:

Website: https://ildu.com.ua/

Telegram: https://t.me/intlegionua

Twitter: https://twitter.com/int_legion_ua

Instagram: https://instagram.com/internationallegionua

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ukr.international.legion

In accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons", foreigners and stateless persons who arrived in Ukraine to work as correspondents or representatives of foreign mass media and received a temporary residence permit are considered to be legally staying in Ukraine for the period of work in Ukraine.

For the period of martial law and within 30 days after its cancellation or termination in Ukraine, foreign journalists accredited for the period of martial law will be able to work without extending the validity of a temporary residence permit in Ukraine after its expiration. Restrictions on the period of stay in Ukraine will not be applied to journalists. 

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine will inform the Administration of the State Border Guard Service and the State Migration Service about the accredited media representatives. 

This decision was made due to the need to simplify the activities of foreign journalists to comprehensively cover the war in Ukraine.

Law on compulsory life and health insurance for foreign journalists

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted a draft law on providing additional security guarantees for foreign journalists working in Ukraine in the areas of hostilities or in the temporarily occupied territories. 

The draft law provides for mandatory insurance of life and health of foreign journalists and other media workers (e.g. cameramen, drivers, etc.) for the period of their work in the areas of military (combat) operations and/or in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

Secondly, media workers who work in conditions hazardous to life and health must be provided by their employers with appropriate means of protection, namely: bulletproof vests, helmets that would protect them from firearms and shrapnel injuries, as well as medical kits.

It should be noted that prior to the adoption of this draft law, the media provided their employees only with relevant documents and signal identification means. 

Thirdly, in case of injury (contusion, trauma or mutilation) caused to a journalist during the performance of his professional duties, he is paid from the state budget a one-time financial assistance of 50 subsistence minimums, which is 130 thousand hryvnias.

Visit Ukraine team together with partners has launched a new project - Donation Tours to Ukraine.

We want as many people as possible to learn the truth about what is happening in Ukraine and to join in supporting the country in such a difficult time. Becoming a participant in the project is not only a way to help a country at war, but also an opportunity to express your position and take the side of good when the whole world is suffering from Russia's brutal aggression.

What are donation tours to Ukraine?

Donation tours are a unique project designed to attract foreign tourists to travel to the de-occupied and frontline regions of southern Ukraine and enable everyone to become a volunteer and part of Ukraine's victory.

Our project is not only a means of supporting the country's economy and funding humanitarian missions in the affected regions of southern Ukraine, but also a way to maximize the dissemination of information about the events in the country.

Each participant of the project who comes to Ukraine will be able to spend a few days as a volunteer, helping people and animals, contribute to the victory, experience Ukrainian culture and communicate with people who have seen the consequences of russian aggression and events with their own eyes, as well as immerse themselves in the life of a warring country.

What is included in the program of donation tours to Ukraine?

Each donation tour to Ukraine will be tailored to the individual wishes and requests of the tourist and the situation in the region during the trip, so there will be no two identical programs. 

❗️Each person will be able to choose the direction of the tour and the activities they want to join, and, accordingly, the area they want to donate to. It can be:

1. Humanitarian aid in the form of food (formation of food packages for the affected and low-income population)

2. Personal hygiene products for daily use

3. Assistance to animals (food, medicines, sterilization, overstay, etc.)

4. Medicines for civilians (children, adults, elderly)

5. Heating of housing (stoves, stoves, rockets, etc.) donation for production

6. Supporting the work of the volunteer center (fuel for humanitarian aid delivery, car repairs)

7. Help for children. Humanitarian aid for children under 3 years old (diapers, wet wipes, formula, porridge, mashed potatoes, etc.). Humanitarian aid for children under 10 years old (school supplies, books, etc.)

8. Construction materials for the restoration of damaged houses and apartments.

9. Generators and solar panels.

10. Assistance for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

11. Ecology

❗️Each destination is individual in its implementation and will depend on the size of the donation. All the nuances of the tour program will be discussed with the visiting party and customized to the tourist's request. 

The tour price includes:

1. Transfer around the city and along all routes of the program

2. Hotel accommodation

3. Breakfasts

4. Insurance

5. Accompaniment of the guide and the work of the guide

6. Translator (if necessary)

7. First aid course (optional)

8. Photos and videos from the trip (all key moments of the stay are recorded)

9. T-shirt/hoodie/cap from the volunteer center

10. Volunteer certificate 

11. Chevron (Ukraine/country of the tourist)

12. Gratitude from the foundation (beautiful in a frame😎) and souvenirs

Additional expenses:

1. Lunch and dinner

2. Souvenir products

3. Departure outside the city for excursions

4. Visiting museums

5. Personal expenses

❗️The cost of the tour is floating and depends on the number of days in Ukraine and the individual needs and wishes of the tourist. The minimum donation is $500.

What format will the donation tours take place in?

The final format of the tour will depend on the chosen destination and field of activity and can be combined from several events. It can be:

1. Volunteer work in Mykolaiv (without leaving the city)

2. Volunteer work in the affected and de-occupied villages of Mykolaiv and Kherson regions (safe location, with a low probability of shelling)

3. Visit to a veterinary service center that works on a volunteer basis with injured or abandoned animals in the South of Ukraine

4. Participation in charity events that can take place in our children's center for IDP children or children from large families.

Volunteer work in Mykolaiv will depend on the chosen area of humanitarian aid donations:

- distribution of humanitarian aid in centers where IDPs live;

- working with children in a free children's center (humanitarian aid for children affected by the war, children of IDPs, children from large families)

- visiting a veterinary center that provides free services for animals from the affected regions;

- visits to animal rehoming centers from Mykolaiv and Kherson regions);

- transfer of humanitarian aid to medical institutions in the city, etc.

Additional services include:

1. The opportunity to give a loving family to a rescued animal by taking it home (this issue should be clarified before arrival. The tourist can choose a small tail, and we will prepare all the documents for the animal's departure before arriving in Ukraine).

2. A quick course in first aid.

3. Exploring the natural sights of Mykolaiv region and visiting museums.

Approximate program of the donation tour to Ukraine

To learn more about the donation tour program, please follow the link.

How to get involved?

To book a donation tour to Ukraine, please follow this link. On the website, in the "Donation Tours" section, you can immediately choose the format of the tour (within the city or with a visit to the villages) and the direction to which the donation will be directed. After booking, a manager will contact you to discuss the details and the tour program. 

The tour program will be unique and will depend solely on your wishes, preferences and requests.