Can you volunteer to defend Ukraine against Russian invasion? What US government says

As Ukraine forms a new legion of foreign fighters to help defend the Eastern European country against the Russian invasion, some Americans have questions about signing on.

It is legal for U.S. citizens to join foreign militaries under certain conditions, according to the U.S. State Department. But there are some caveats.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why is Ukraine asking for international fighters?

Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on three fronts early Thursday, Feb. 24, bombarding cities, towns and villages as troops advanced toward the capital of Kyiv.

Ukrainian forces are putting up a “very determined resistance,” particularly in Kyiv, which is under heavy Russian attack by artillery and cruise missiles, Reuters reported.

No other nations have sent military units to assist Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO or the European Union. President Joe Biden has said the United States will not send troops to Ukraine.

Ukraine, the second-largest nation in Europe by land mass, was part of the former Soviet Union until it declared independence in 1991.

What is the international legion?

Volunteers can join the new International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine by applying through their local Ukrainian embassy, USA Today reported.

“Anyone who wants to join the defense of Ukraine, Europe and the world can come and fight side by side with the Ukrainians against the Russian war criminals,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to the Washington Post.

Zelenskyy said Thursday, March 3, that 16,000 people from around the world have volunteered to join the legion, The Washington Post reported.

A 2016 decree allowed foreigners to join the Ukrainian military as volunteers, The Guardian reported.

“Every friend of Ukraine who wants to join Ukraine in defending the country, please come over,” Zelenskyy said, Insider reported. “We will give you weapons. Everyone who is defending Ukraine is a hero.”

“Together we defeated Hitler, and we will defeat Putin, too,” Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s minister of foreign affairs, said on Twitter.

The appeal for international volunteer fighters is “unprecedented in modern warfare,” The Guardian reported.

Several European nations have already encouraged volunteers to join the legion.

Can U.S. citizens join the international legion?

A U.S. State Department page on foreign military service in general suggests it is legal under certain conditions.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is “not a crime under U.S. law for an individual to go abroad for the purpose of enlisting in a foreign army,” the site says.

But a violation may have occurred if someone has been recruited or hired while still in the United States, the site advises.

Americans who fight for other nations can lose their citizenship, however, if they fight against the United States or become a commissioned officer with the intent of abandoning their citizenship, according to the site.

More information on losing or relinquishing your citizenship can be found here.

What if you have a national security clearance?

Then the situation becomes more complicated, according to ClearanceJobs.

If you have an active security clearance, you probably “can’t hop on a plane and join the Ukraine defense effort,” the site says.

It’s also not clear whether fighting for Ukraine could hurt the ability of veterans or security contractors to later acquire security clearances, ClearanceJobs says.

In either case, it’s best to consult with an attorney or U.S. authorities before moving ahead.

How can Americans join the international legion?

The first step is to contact the Ukraine’s U.S. embassy for instructions, the Military Times said. Ask for a military or defense attache. Applicants can visit, call or send an email.

Be sure all your documents are in order, including “ID, a passport to travel abroad, documents confirming military service or work with law enforcement agencies and participation in combat.”

Once you complete an application and follow other procedures outlined by the embassy, you’ll need to follow directions on how to arrive in Ukraine and what to bring, which may include body armor, clothing and other equipment.

This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 8:25 AM with the headline "Can you volunteer to defend Ukraine against Russian invasion? What US government says."