Latest news with #non-Ukrainians
Russia Today
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine simplifies recruitment of mercenaries
The Ukrainian government has simplified the recruitment process for non-citizens in its army, authorizing officials to arrange and pay for their transportation, food, and accommodation, according to lawmakers. Kiev is struggling to enforce mandatory conscription amid the conflict with Russia as many Ukrainian men evade the draft. Foreign 'volunteers' – viewed by Moscow as mercenaries – have complemented domestic manpower shortages in the Ukrainian military, with recruitment efforts intensifying. On Tuesday, MPs Aleksey Goncharenko and Taras Meinichuk announced policy changes that authorize Ukrainian recruitment centers to transport foreign nationals and stateless persons across the border. The Defense Ministry and National Guard can now fund such trips from their budgets, according to the officials. Moscow regards non-Ukrainians serving in Kiev's military as criminals, not covered by the protections normally granted to combatants. Following reports of foreign fighters being involved in the Ukrainian incursion into Russia's Kursk Region, President Vladimir Putin warned in March that 'mercenaries are not protected by the 1949 Geneva Convention on POWs.' READ MORE: Foreign mercenaries continue to die in the Ukraine conflict: RT takes a closer look at who is fighting for Kiev (VIDEO) Russian officials have claimed that some mercenaries are unofficially deployed by their home governments to operate complex Western-supplied weaponry or to advise Ukrainian officers. This week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said a recent strike on Sumy targeted Ukrainian military leaders during a meeting with 'Western colleagues.' He insisted that 'there are NATO servicemen there, and they are directly in charge' of Ukrainian operations. Extensive recent reports in US and British media have described the significant involvement of both nations' militaries in directing the Ukraine conflict, surpassing official acknowledgments by their governments. Coverage from the New York Times and The Times of London appeared to substantiate Moscow's position that the conflict is a NATO proxy war against Russia.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: 'There is always someone in my homeland who is dying' — a Ukrainian on life during the war
To the editor: As a Ukrainian living in Los Angeles, I wish this letter never had to be written. In February 2022, when Russia had started its full-scale assault on Ukraine's existence, I wrote a letter to the L.A. Times about "Shchedryk" (known as "Carol of the Bells" in much of the world) casting the song by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych as not only my homeland's cry for help, but also a beacon of hope. I think back to that version of myself, and I cannot relate to her. Today, my smartwatch notifies me of air-raid alerts in cities where my loved ones live. The horrific "ping" sends me to googling to find out what happened. Are these "just" drones, or is it a ballistic missile attack? If it's the former, are they Kinzhal or Iskander missiles? My 2025 self knows so many military terms, yet I lack simple words to talk about feelings — to answer the question, "How have you been?" from non-Ukrainians. But since you asked, I'm fine. It's just that my cousin is currently at the front line. I call him "Little One." He's two years younger than me, but he put together a will several months ago. Little One has a will. A few days ago, he texted me back after not responding for a month. That was a good day. Shortly after I heard from Little One, there was a huge attack on Odesa. My other cousin and his 2-year-old daughter live there. He is an engineer who works for the local gas company. He responded that they were fine. But last New Year's Eve, he was on the street during an attack on Odesa. A missile from temporarily occupied Crimea literally passed above his head. His 14-year-old neighbor was killed. There is always someone in my homeland who is dying. I feel I do not deserve to be asked, "How are you?" But to give people the courtesy of an answer, I am armed with devastating pictures on my phone. I still lack words. How do I explain to non-Ukrainians that this will be truly the last war, the last peaceful days on Earth if there is no justice for Ukraine? I wish I could bring you the hope of "Shchedryk." But this time, all I have are notifications from air-raid alerts. Victoria Pidlisetska, Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: ‘There is always someone in my homeland who is dying' — a Ukrainian on life during the war
To the editor: As a Ukrainian living in Los Angeles, I wish this letter never had to be written. In February 2022, when Russia had started its full-scale assault on Ukraine's existence, I wrote a letter to the L.A. Times about 'Shchedryk' (known as 'Carol of the Bells' in much of the world) casting the song by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych as not only my homeland's cry for help, but also a beacon of hope. I think back to that version of myself, and I cannot relate to her. Today, my smartwatch notifies me of air-raid alerts in cities where my loved ones live. The horrific 'ping' sends me to googling to find out what happened. Are these 'just' drones, or is it a ballistic missile attack? If it's the former, are they Kinzhal or Iskander missiles? My 2025 self knows so many military terms, yet I lack simple words to talk about feelings — to answer the question, 'How have you been?' from non-Ukrainians. But since you asked, I'm fine. It's just that my cousin is currently at the front line. I call him 'Little One.' He's two years younger than me, but he put together a will several months ago. Little One has a will. A few days ago, he texted me back after not responding for a month. That was a good day. Shortly after I heard from Little One, there was a huge attack on Odesa. My other cousin and his 2-year-old daughter live there. He is an engineer who works for the local gas company. He responded that they were fine. But last New Year's Eve, he was on the street during an attack on Odesa. A missile from temporarily occupied Crimea literally passed above his head. His 14-year-old neighbor was killed. There is always someone in my homeland who is dying. I feel I do not deserve to be asked, 'How are you?' But to give people the courtesy of an answer, I am armed with devastating pictures on my phone. I still lack words. How do I explain to non-Ukrainians that this will be truly the last war, the last peaceful days on Earth if there is no justice for Ukraine? I wish I could bring you the hope of 'Shchedryk.' But this time, all I have are notifications from air-raid alerts. Victoria Pidlisetska, Los Angeles
