Want to go fight for Ukraine? Here's what to do.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Under siege by its much larger and more powerful neighbor, Ukraine has been so far able to slow down Russia's attack, a senior U.S. defense official said Sunday morning.
But there is a long fight ahead.
"The Russians have been frustrated. They have been slowed. They have been stymied, and they have been resisted by Ukrainians, and to some degree, they've done it to themselves in terms of their fuel and logistics and sustainment problems," the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to brief reporters. "But as I said earlier, we would expect them to learn from these issues and adapt to them and try to overcome them. So I think we all need to be very sober here. in recognizing that this is combat, and combat is ugly, it's messy, it's bloody, and it's not wholly predictable.
And to that end, Ukraine is calling on foreigners who want to help.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has created "The International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine." It is a new effort, a Ukrainian official tells Military Times, to help bolster the fight.
Several veterans have reached out to Military Times interested in helping Ukraine.
Before you go, this is what you need to know, according to the official, who spoke to Military Times Sunday on condition of anonymity in an interview repeatedly interrupted by ongoing airstrikes.
Here's what veterans, other U.S. citizens or anyone else interested in helping out, need to know.
- Apply to the Embassy of Ukraine in your country with the intention of joining the Foreign Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine (ask a military diplomat or consul for details). Applicants can visit the Embassy in person, call or send an email to start the process.
- Get your documents in order. This includes an ID, a passport to travel abroad, documents confirming military service or work with law enforcement agencies and participation in combat.
- Arrive at the embassy with documents for an interview with the defense attache and the settlement of any visa issues with the consul.
- Write an application for enlistment in the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for military service under a contract on a voluntary basis.(This is in addition to Step 1.)
- Receive instructions on how to arrive in Ukraine and what to bring. Military clothing, equipment, helmet, body armor, combat gloves, tactical glasses, belts and vests are recommended. "It is not obligatory," the official said, "but a foreign soldier in his national uniform looks good for the International Legion."
- Go to Ukraine in an organized manner. Representatives of Ukrainian embassies, consulates (abroad) and Territorial Defense in Ukraine will provide assistance on the way. Contacts will be provided at the Embassy of Ukraine in your country.
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Well, this is interesting. Eat your heart out French Foreign Legion.
Here's a related article about some people already on their way.
A Team Of American And British Special Forces Veterans Are Preparing To Join Ukraine’s Fight Against Russia
Very good to know. I'm glad to hear that there are people out there who will lay their lives down for the good fight.
[Deleted]
And I'm saving mine just in case we need to defend this nation from such nutjobs who love to express their willingness to go to against their fellow citizens with violence if they don't get what they want...
pffft, probably lucky to make it to the end of your driveway before the pump blows a gasket.
Saving it for them?
Lemme ask you a plain question:
You think either one of us are going to be checking voter registration cards before we shoot them?
the low hanging fruit gets picked first at harvest time. the ukrainian war is an important object lesson for those that think they can overthrow a government with force or even some ink on legislation. the last war of insurgency won by people that called themselves republicans was 157 years ago, and they didn't finish it.
1/6/21
I guess that will be your battle cry? Remember 1/6/21?
So I guess the confederate's surrender didn't finish the war in your opinion? What would have?
At that point in time the democratic party was comprised of conservatives.
That's why they are so neoconic these days I guess. Although a quick peak at twitter would lead you to believe the lefties are all joining Ukraine to fight the Russian army with small arms.
I can't help but notice their preferred pronoun and vaccine status under their twitter handle...Either way it would be the winner of all virtue signaling to see a collective group of woke tards with ak-47s trying to stop the Rooskie army.
I'd pay to see that!
Hell, if that had happened, slavery would never had been in this country, the KKK would never had existed, there would never had been Jim Crowe laws and there would never had been a been a need for the civil rights act.
deflection from the previous hypocritical nutjob commentary noted.
that sounds a little like what russia is trying to do in ukraine.
Ahh, the supreme deflection, accuse the other of exactly what you are doing... And a bonus!!! Ignoring the direct question posed...
I suppose your going to do the same with the other direct question I asked, Correct?
you asked me 5 questions. which 2 did you want answers to?
While the Jan 6 insurrectionists broke laws, attacked police officers (and indeed resulted in several deaths)-- Ireally don't think you can compare them with the atrocities committed by Hitler, Stalin..or even Putin.
Are you really threatening to shoot people?
(Which is, as I think you know, is a serious crime...whether of not you check voter registration cards, restaurant menus or the weather forecast...and whether if before orafter one commits murder).
Actually many of the Southerners I know are of a typical "The South Will Rise Again" mentality.
(Maybe they're right-- maybe Jefferson Davis will be..."reinstated"???)
How about all the actual Ukrainians who are doing that?
Do you consider them to be "woke tards"?
Just seeded (article with quite a few photos of actual captured Russian soldiers)
Ukrainian Officials Parade Captured Russian Soldiers, Videos Show
You mean groups like Antifa and BLM?
An amazing number is there or headed to Ukraine.
[Deleted]
trump supporters would probably be welcomed by a couple of those fascist militias in ukraine.
... like the fine people that had a torch parade in charlottesville.
With the exception of The Cheney's I don't see anyone advocating for that but the left. Not to mention NBC did a love affair piece with the White nationalist Azov brigade and even the NYT seems to fawn over them. Disgusting really.
... yeah they were.
Wow, some folks are so triggered and hostile!
No one is triggered, just trying to figure out why all the lefties want to go to war. Then I realized the answer, white Europeans got invaded.
Probably the same reason many of them wanted to go to war against Hilter.
Many people forget, but at the time when the U.S. was still neutral in WWII< many "lefties" crossed the border into Canada so they could fight fascism!
(Of course they weren't all "lefties"-- some of them just had realized what a danger Hitler-- as well as Imperial Japan-- was at the time).
I think it would be more accurate to say that some Trump supporters would probably be welcomed by a couple of those fascist militias, although I was unaware there was more than one. I doubt it would be very many but undoubtedly there would be some and I hope our government has those people on a watch list. The last thing we need is those types getting actual combat experience.
Not really. You gotta know that some who were in Charlottesville would try to go to Ukraine to join something like the Azov battalion if they have the courage and money to do so. While it's BS that devangelical wants to include all Trump supporters, you have to know there are some.
I expect that those who did so were of many different political backgrounds.
The NATO cabinet will meet tomorrow. Among other things they will discuss the immediate inclusion of Ukraine.
GOOD!
And if they vote to allow emergency accession, I do believe that the Ukrainian parliament will vote overwhelmingly in approval....
AND, that will be stomping all over Putin's threat to use the nuclear option...
Why on earth would you think that? Do you really think a Putin who sees himself with nothing to lose wouldn't burn down the world? He's as narcissistic as Trump.
You can face the bully early or late, in my experience with bully's, Put them down for the count as fast as your abilities, tools & human ability allows...
If you wait, it is ten times harder...
Normally I would agree completely. But most bullies don't have nuclear weapons. It won't do much good to be right among irradiated ruins.
That would really be a turn of events, wouldn't it?
If it happens, I wonder if they'll just strike right away or give Russia an ultimatum to withdraw first.
The question will be, does it invoke all of Nato's obligations to defend? If it does they will give Putin the option of backing out before they take any hard action...
If its an artificially limited accession, then it will probably open up more direct avenues of aid to include offensive weaponry and a military no flight zone over Ukraine...
Seriously painting Russia into a cage...
I'm assuming it if it's something as serious as admitting Ukraine there would be a news press release that a "vote would be held in the next few days" and a leak saying it would be probable and then any number of talking heads discussing what that means until we really know the details. The details would most likely be a ramp up of help like NM lays out @ 2.2.1.
BIG IF on any of it happening , but if it does , there likely will be a set time limit on being seen headed out (24 hrs at most) but then i would be concerned of the old russian tactic of
"scorched earth" policy , much like was seen during sadams exit from Kuwait.
lets not forget , Russians control Chernobyl at the moment .
Putin was afraid that Ukraine would join NATO-- and was worried about so many nations already being members.
So he went to war on Ukraine.
But here's the irony-- as a direct result of Putins actions, it may end up that not one but three more nations will be joining NATO: Ukraine, Finland, and Sweden!
(And despite all the praise Trumph has given him, it turns out out that he is a real dummkof after all)
I am, of course, hardly qualified to give much of an opinion, but I feel including them at this time would be a mistake. If what the media is telling us is accurate, we already have Putin under an incredible amount of pressure already. Also, whether just propaganda or serious consideration, intelligence experts are apparently trying to gage whether Putin has gone around the bend or not. I don't know if his people in the silos and subs would follow his orders if he attempted to burn down the world but I don't want to chance it. Most likely those silos and subs are on lockdown and who knows what they are being told about what's going on in the world. For all we know they're being told NATO is about to launch themselves.
At the moment, it seems as if most of the world, both governmental and private, is initiating sanctions on Russia. Apparently the Ruble is worth less than a penny. Even if Russia takes Ukraine, they're going to be seriously screwed by the international community like no one has ever before. I think we should wait and see what effect that has, for now.
I think putin is painting himself into a corner with no way out. With unrest in Russia and around the world. I read this morning they arrested about 6k people in Russia.
What he is doing is not sustainable and I am afraid he will lash out like a cornered dog.
He is a danger to his own country and needs to be removed from any office. Jailed for war crimes would be nice.
I think I heard somewhere that a war crimes trial is already being discussed. Attacking a peaceful neighbor and killing innocent people is certainly reason for one.
Personally I'd prefer to see a targeted assassination-- that would really send a strong message to potential despots-- after all, rich and powerful people have been known to escape imprisonment.
(But maybe that's just me...
)
IIRC-- as a result of the Nurnberg trials-- weren't some of Hitler's top henchmen hanged?
Will the Ukrainians that are fleeing instead of fighting be welcome back when this is over? Or will the US and other countries welcome them as permanent refugees?
I only ask because one of our Ukrainian immigrants is currently in the process of fleeing the Ukraine to get back to the US and safety.
Three-weight boxing world champion Vasyl Lomachenko posts picture of himself in full Ukrainian military uniform after returning to his home country to enlist in the territorial army and help fight off Russian troops
Patriots returning home to fight the good fight... That always warms the hearts of defenders....
I think Ukrainian moral is high with no signs of deterioration...
The Ukraine is depending on its citizens to defend its country and the world is hoping the Russian soldiers will at least not obey orders to deploy nuclear weapons.
Which usually triumphs? The will to survive or nationalism?
Fighting for your home is a very powerful motivator as the Ukrainians are showing.
As for nuclear weapons that is the wild card.
Thank you for your thoughtful response.
Some of the Ukrainians are fighting for their home and some have to flee in an attempt to survive.
This is an aspect of human behavior that I have seen very harshly judged throughout history, especially among males.
This is why I asked the question about if it would be safe for those who did not fight to return.
I am considering the hatred might be even more pronounced than many US citizens had for the draft dodgers during and after the Vietnam War.
If so, what is the responsibility of the world to ensure the lifelong safety of the refugees?
Men ages 18 to 60 are required to stay and from what I've seen so far not many are trying to leave. Additionally, many women are staying and fighting as well.
I don't know, from the courage that I've seen from men and women, young and old I don't believe that they would be welcomed back to the country.
Currently, countries bordering Ukraine are taking in thousands of refugees, (women/children/elders) I believe they see it as a moral obligation.
I agree.
This is why I am hoping that whoever is being paid to oversee the US refugee program is working on possible scenarios to relocate the Ukrainian refugees who won't be welcome (at least in the near future) in their country.
I could be wrong, but I doubt that Putin will actually choose to use nukes.
(For starters if he uses them in a bordering country, the fallout will greatly effect Russia.
But what worries me more than Putindeciding touse them is the possibility of accidents . . .
Both..in combination!
No one knows how this will end, how long it will take OR what will happen when it's over. Those questions are a bit premature at this point.
Ukrainian men from 16 to 60 are being compelled to fight for their country. Women and non-Ukrainians with children are given priority on train space to Poland. Non-Ukrainian single men are either having to walk or wait at the train station for spaces out.
They are not forcing the ones not willing to fight to stay... That is very good... A huge departure from the Russian model...
Very fair.... And indicative of a people who love individual choice...
Let Freedom Ring!
I doubt that they are to the Ukranian people who are fighting for or leaving the Ukraine.
Do you really believe the world (outside the US) will continue to require their young men fight wars and their citizens pay for wars for countries like Iraq and Afghanistan if there isn't a realistic beneficial outcome for all involved?
How does the world pick and choose which wars to support and which ones to ignore?
Russia and Ukraine hasn't even been added to the following list of the countries at war in 2022.
They are not forcing the ones not willing to fight to stay...
Conflicting reports my friend, who do we believe?
When you find someone that can tell the future then ask them those questions?
WTF does that have to do with Ukraine? Russia/Putin has done more in 4 days to strengthen NATO than the US has done in a decade.
That's a question people have been asking each other for 3000 years. Answers are more often than not tied to politics and economics.
What's your point here? It's only been 4 days. Do we need to wait until someone somewhere updates some list before we recognize, and support (or not), what's going on?
From your posts here and in other seeds I've read, I suspect you don't support US intervention on the part of Ukraine - You are fully entitled to your opinions. The reality is far more complicated than just do nothing. We are signatories to NATO and we also have too many trade ties to Europe to ignore them. NATO has officially asked for defensive help with some NATO countries officially invoking Article 4 for protection.
Both Russia and China want to destabilize the political and economic power of the US. I'm sure some Americans would agree with the idea of America being more insular and letting Europe tend to Europe, but this comes with a huge economic impacts.
I agree.
Which is why I believe it is best to answer a lot of questions before rushing headlong into another war.
These are just a few of the questions that I believe that US media should be answering on an ongoing basis so US citizens can begin to make informed decisions on US foreign policy.
How much money does the US owe China? Where is the US going to borrow more money to fight more wars?
Do we have all of the weapons and access to the raw materials to make more weapons to fight wars with Russia and the eventually China?
What have we learned about keeping peace in Europe after WWII? What have we, as a nation, done to expand peace instead of war?
Was moving our manufacturing outside of the US a way to prevent war to concentrate wealth in the hands of the few inside the US and create social unrest?
China (and other nations) has bought a substantial amount of farmland and industry inside the US. Are we giving leverage to those nations on what we can and cannot support without harming US citizens?
It is far easier to manipulate an uninformed citizenry than an informed one. Unfortunately, most of us don't have either the time or inclination to be truly informed on what is happening in our country. Keeping up with what is happening in the world is impossible.
So as you noted, it has been 4 days. How many US citizens know much, if any, more about the history and citizens of the Ukraine than they did 4 days ago and should wholeheartedly rush into supporting sending young men to die in a conflict that they don't understand at all?
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Prisoners are also being released to fight because it is their country also.
I've heard the same thing from several "usually reliable sources".
And of course women and children can leave.
And to further complicate things-- different people mean different things when they say "intervene". Some countries want to be 100% neutral-- they won't even send weapons. (Some might not even send food and medicine. Some won't even accept refugees. They want to stay out of it completely).
Others won't send soldiers to fight-- but their "intervention" will be to send weapons.
And when others say "intervene" they mean actually sending in their armed forces. (And some won't do that-- but will allow their citizens to volunteer to fight).
(As I'm sure you aware-- all countries- as well as all individuals-- don't think exactly alike-- and some have different prejudices, loyalties, religious views tha others),.
Again, that question itself would call for an answer that would be an over-generalization.
However in most cases that I'm aware of, moving American corporations outside of the U.S. was not a gov't decision but rather a decision of individual corporations who did it. And the reason?
Basically, businesses have several goals-- one of which is to be profitable. They wanted to make money.. and those that were wanted to make more. (The majority of people don't want to work if they're not earning money (or if they are making very little for the work they do)>.
. And the reasoni s quite simple; if the "cost of doing business' was significantly cheaper elsewhere than it in the U>S>-- ofthen corporations would move there!
(Seems obvious to me-- but maybe I'm missing something?)
All you gun ho battle ready weekend keyboard warriors might want to rethink taking up a small arms fight in a foreign country for Ukraine. The Russian army has not really started their assault on Kyiv, they are staging and awaiting heavy weaponry. The Ukrainians are about to get rolled, don't get rolled thinking you can make a difference.
Take lots of pictures, post them on Newstalkers before you die if you decide to be an idiot.
The US/British vets going to Ukraine are not a bunch of weekend warriors all are ex-special forces so there is that.
Georgians that have joined the Ukrainians are hardened combat troops.
If I could, I would go also. But it would be to help set up field hospitals as that is where my expertise is from my 23 years in the Army.
I know how to operate trenchers and wood chippers, so I could be assigned to a russian POW camp... /s
I can do air sampling if chemical weapons are deployed
Name one person here who has said they are going to Ukraine with their small arms. For starters...how are they going to get to Ukraine?
My guess would be to land in Germany and then go by ground transport into The Ukraine.
How are they going to get a weapon on an aircraft and then transport that weapon to Poland?
they'll say they're hunters, they all go hunting with their AR's, dontcha know...
Arms can go commercial if they are not in carry on and if cleared by the airline and checked in through them (ie - participants in shooting events during the Olympics)
Didn't think of that. Thanks
Educated guess would be if they go through the process, outlined , they would be given some form of paperwork, from there it would be a matter of a plane flight .
list of countries that border Ukraine they could enter the country from are Poland ,Slovakia ,Hungary, Romania and Moldova from north to south .all on the western border .
other thing is how hard would it be to make a border crossing ?
Something not mentioned is US law and how these people would be viewed , technically they would be mercenaries , so US law pertaining to that would apply so checking with the US state dept might be a good idea.
Good info.
you'd want a weapon that uses ammo common to that region, 7.62x39, for obvious reasons...
Under what US Law would these volunteers be "technically" viewed as mercenaries?
same ones they used when US citizens went and joined AQ or ISiS. things can get a bit convoluted and murky .
thing is the way things are , the government can pull and do anything out of their bag of laws , it will depend on if the government wants to go after it or not .
that is why i said it is better to check and know than go on an assumption.
Those that joined ISIS were charged with violation of:
18 U.S. Code § 2339B - Providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations
The Ukraine isn't a designated terrorist organization.
Should be a lot of that laying around now.
I used to work airport security in AK. You would not believe the things checked in. There was everything from hunting rifles, black powder guns, hand guns, grappling hooks, and massive hunting knives.
Well, he's entitled to his opinion.
C'mon. He's made up his mind.
Don't confuse him with the truth!
OK.
Or maybe Poland, which is closer. (It actually border Ukraine...and the Poles are no fans of Putin, having lived under Russian oppresion...(off and on for centuries). So my guess is that they'd be quite sympathetic.
I wonder if you'd even have to bring a weapon. Of course you have to check first, but my guess is that bordering countries that are not too fond of Russia (Poland, for one) might be only to glad to sell you a weapon and ammunition if they knew you were going to fight Putin.???
OMG-- a blast from the past!
Long time no see-- how you been Drinker of the Wry?
And like i said , its better to check the legalities with those that would know , do i know for sure what would happen ? no , but If i decided i were to do something like this , i would at least check what some of the issues could be and how they are normally handled ,
and thats the point i am making .
I've taken deploying Soldiers to the local Airport with military weapons (M240B, M2 Browning, etc). With the proper documents it's not hard to get them on the plane.
Hell, if you could get enough people together you could charter a plane and hand carry the weapons.
Doing well, thank you Krishna. I've had an unusual journey starting with a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in June 2020. My family and I experienced many chemo sessions, several hospitalizations and the mother of all surgeries. I am now cancer free and regaining my strength.
I was so fortunate to have a supportive family and network of friends and co-workers, an excellent medical team and a good underlying health condition. I'll never be the same as I was before that diagnosis, but I'm so happy and appreciative that I have this opportunity to continue living and loving.
It is good to see you again.
Thanks, it's good to be back.
That's a bit of an over-generalization, doncha think?
All?
OK. I'll admit it. I'm one of those "gun ho battle ready weekend keyboard warriors" of which you speak.
And (this may come as a shock to many people) there's no way I want to traipse off to some foreign country to fight-- and possible die.
Country Joe & the Fish -- Vietnam song
(But maybe that's just me-- maybe all the rest want to go fight and die in Ukraine. Heck-- I've always been somewhat of a non-conformist!)
Want to go fight for Ukraine? I'd say enlist in the US Military but we already know that a good 70%+ of Americans don't meet the minimum requirements for enlistment.
The media has done an incredible sales job on this one. Surely with no experience you can fly to Poland, walk across the border and use an ak-47 for the first time. They might even provide you with a size 44 pair of camo pants. Hopefully they have meds for type 2 diabetes available.
As funny as it may be, I'm sure there are thousands of vets who would take up this offer. With the lack of political interference like we had in Afghanistan and Iraq, they would reek havoc on the Russians with no problems.
Until then I can't stop watching the wokes virtue signal on twitter about it. It's pure internet gold!
[deleted]
Indeed.
Especially the more woke Media sites- - such as the far-left New York Post!
Ukrainian officials parade captured Russian soldiers, videos show
Ukrainian officials have been posting dozens of videos and photos online parading captured bloodied Russian soldiers, including some fighters who claimed they didn’t know they were being sent to invade.
Other videos included several of the Russians calling their relatives to inform them they had been detained.
A number of the captured Russian soldiers were injured, including some filmed lying in hospital beds as they spoke.
Dozens of Russian soldiers have surrendered to the armed forces of Ukraine in Kharkiv.
Moscow on Monday refused to disclose how many Russian soldiers had been killed — or captured — since President Vladimir Putin gave the orders to invade Ukraine.
-->Actual Photos
Do you really think U.S. military troops are fighting there. now or will be in the near future?
Well, you may be right.
I know they aren't. Helps to have friends in the senior HQ of particular units.
While any warm body that can fire a weapon and is not a complete kook would be welcome. I do wonder how many would be screaming to be rescued after the first week or two. War is not a video game
The US/British heading to Ukraine are ex special forces and combat infantry at last count there were 110 of them. The Georgians have a fairly large number of hardened combat vets already in Ukraine. (Georgia National League)
Interesting article on the huge numbers of Ukrainians coming from all over Europe to defend the homeland.
Oh I have no doubt there will be some well qualified people heading over but there will also be some delusional types at least trying to go
No doubt there will be.
"War is not a video game" unless you're a MQ-1 Predator or MQ-9 Reaper drone operator.
They forgot one very important thing on their list on joining Ukraine for the fight.
Most important: If you are a US (or NATO country) citizen make sure to take all identification and drop it into the nearest fire and destroy it completely upon reaching Ukraine. Putin is a nut job. He starts seeing US/NATO country ID's among the dead and captured he is going to completely lose it. Some of us don't feel like glowing in the dark for the next century or two because some keyboard warriors decided to test their chops in Ukraine.
If you somehow manage to survive what is to come you can reapply for identification at the nearest US Embassy; who can put you on the terror watch list while checking to confirm you are indeed a US citizen. And not some far right Ukrainian nationalist or criminal they released to fight trying to steal your ID.