Ukraine launches central hub to recruit and process foreign volunteers for the National Guard

On September 18, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi revealed that the Ukrainian National Guard has established a centralized recruitment center focused on foreign volunteers. The facility will handle every stage of the process, from screening interviews and security checks to training and assignment to combat units, with the goal of speeding up reinforcement delivery. The National Guard, which falls under the Ministry of Internal Affairs rather than the regular armed forces, includes prominent units like the 1st Azov Corps and 2nd Khartiia Corps.

Ukraine is increasingly relying on overseas volunteers to compensate for battlefield losses and to bolster its domestic manpower pool. Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has indicated an ambition to staff 30 to 50 percent of assault and infantry positions with foreign fighters. Additionally, the government has approved a draft law that would allow foreign and stateless individuals who served to obtain extended residency after their service contracts conclude.