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The Armed Forces of Ukraine are a key component of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, which, together with the National Guard of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine and other units, defend Ukraine. According to the Constitution, they are obliged to defend the statehood of Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Armed Forces of Ukraine ensure the deterrence of armed aggression against Ukraine, the protection of air, surface and underwater space, and also participate in measures aimed at combating terrorism.

History

The Kievan state, better known as Kievan Rus, had a strong army. It included a professional army of the prince and a people's militia . In addition, under the control of Kievan Rus were the tribes of the Black Hoods, who defended the southern borders of the state with their cavalry. The army of Kievan Rus actively fought with the eastern nomadic tribes and the Byzantine Empire.

The Cossack state of the 15th–19th centuries was created from the army. It was a unique organization that can be called a military democracy. All issues related to the planning and organization of campaigns were decided at the general council. At the same time, there was also a military leadership, which was elected by the Cossacks. The Cossacks were considered one of the best warriors in Europe at that time. They successfully fought with the Moscow principality, the Tatars, Turkey, Poland, and took part in many European wars as volunteers.

Zaporizhian Sich - a military state that was founded in the lower reaches of the Dnieper River, for a time it was one of the strongest armies in the region. The Cossacks were distinguished by unsurpassed courage and resilience. The basis of the army was cavalry.

During World War I, Ukraine was divided between several empires. After the creation of the Ukrainian People's Republic, its army was created. In addition, during this period, units of the Free and Red Cossacks, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army of Father Makhno, etc. fought on the territory of Ukraine. In the western part of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Galician Army was created.

During World War II, about 2.5 million Ukrainians fought in the ranks of the Red Army. In addition, in 1942 - 1960, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army fought for Ukraine's independence on the territory of Ukraine.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, independent Ukraine inherited one of the most powerful military formations in Europe and the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world. However, without control over strategic warheads, Ukraine was forced to abandon nuclear weapons.

In 1994, Ukraine agreed to transfer these weapons to Russia, in accordance with the Budapest Memorandum, for disposal and became a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in exchange for economic compensation and guarantees from Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom to respect Ukraine's independence and sovereignty within its existing borders.

Russian-Ukrainian War

The Russo-Ukrainian war began in 2014 with Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and subsequent aggression in Donbas, where Russian military and pro-Russian militants seized parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In response, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which were then poorly equipped and disorganized after a long decline, began to rebuild their combat capability.

In 2014–2021, the Armed Forces of Ukraine underwent a profound transformation: the level of training was increased, equipment was modernized, and cooperation with NATO countries began. Thanks to this, Ukraine was able to deter the enemy on the demarcation line in the Joint Forces Operation zone.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion. The Armed Forces of Ukraine organized a counterattack, defended Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other major cities, and later launched successful counteroffensives in the north, east, and south of Ukraine. The war continues as of 2025, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine remain a key force of resistance and defense of state sovereignty.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine consist of units of the Ground Forces, Air Force, Navy, Airborne Assault Forces, Special Operations Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, and Unmanned Systems Forces. Each of these units has its own functions and performs combat missions.

Unique pioneers

The Defense Forces of Ukraine for the first time in world history:

• Destroyed a ship with a naval drone ;

• Destroyed a submarine with a cruise missile;

• They started shooting down Russian drones ;

• Destroyed a fighter jet with a naval drone using an air-to-air missile;

• Strategic bombers were destroyed by FPV drones , conducting a unique special operation "spider web".
 

Now the Ukrainian army is one of the strongest in the world. It is actively opposing the Russian army, which is much larger in size. Russian losses as of early June 2025 were: 1 million soldiers and officers, 414 aircraft. 337 helicopters, 10,915 tanks, 28 ships and tankers, 28,934 artillery systems, 51,348 vehicles and tanks with fuel and lubricants.

Today, the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression is still ongoing.

Do you want to be a part of history? Join the brave people and fill out the questionnaire at the link.

Ukraine is not only war. Ukraine is a very large and diverse country, where there is a lot of interesting things. Here are just 10 facts that may interest you.

1. The largest in Europe

Within its constitutional borders, Ukraine is the largest state that is located entirely in Europe landmass . For example, France is larger than Ukraine only if you take into account its overseas possessions.

2. The center of Europe

In the village of Dilove, Rakhiv district, Transcarpathian region of Ukraine, the geographical center of Europe is located. This was established by Austrian topographers at the end of the 19th century.

3. Agrarian Eldorado

About 60% of the territory of Ukraine is consists of black soil - one of the most fertile and suitable for agriculture soils (a fifth of the world's black soil). Therefore, even during the war, Ukraine remains one of the most important exporters of various grains and products of its processing.

4. The largest wings – aviation giant with a tragic fate

The Ukrainian design bureau at the Ukrainian aircraft manufacturing enterprise manufactured the world's largest aircraft, the AN-225 Mriya (it was destroyed during the Russian invasion in early 2022).

5. Rocket and space state

Ukraine has an extensive rocket and space production. Once upon a time, Ukraine was the main missile forge of the USSR, where military and space launch vehicles were produced. In the 2000s, Ukraine cooperated with Latin American countries within the framework of the Sea Launch space project to launch commercial satellites.

Russian aggression against Ukraine has made adjustments and instead of space missiles, Ukraine is increasing the production of combat missiles. The Ukrainian anti-ship missile Neptune, which destroyed the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, has shown high efficiency.

6. Woman with a sword

The Motherland, located in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, is the largest monument in Europe and one of the largest in the world. The sculpture of a woman is 1.3 times taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York and more than twice as tall as Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.

7. Drone pilots

During the repulsion of Russian aggression, Ukrainian soldiers showed themselves to be unsurpassed masters of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and boats. With their help, they destroyed targets not only at the front, but also deep behind enemy lines. (We will tell you about the military know-how and military achievements of Ukrainians separately).

8. Fast food from different angles

A variety of fast food restaurants and street food are very popular in Ukraine. Both Ukrainian and international cuisines are widely represented here. In the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, on Pryvokzalnaya Square, there is one of the 3 most visited McDonald's restaurants in the world.

9. The main meat of Ukraine

Ukraine is the leading producer and exporter of chicken meat in Europe. Ukrainian cuisine has a lot of chicken dishes, which are relatively cheap here (we will talk about meat dishes of Ukrainian cuisine separately). One of the most famous Ukrainian chicken dishes in the world is the crispy and juicy Kiev cutlet.

10. Borscht and the "battle" for it

Borscht is the main dish of Ukrainian cuisine and a kind of culinary calling card of Ukraine. Therefore, it is not surprising that Russians, who encroach on Ukrainian territories and Ukrainian identity, also tried to appropriate it. In 2019, the Russian authorities organized an information campaign in which they positioned borscht as a dish of Russian cuisine. But Ukrainians have convincingly proven that this is a uniquely Ukrainian dish. Therefore, UNESCO (the UN specialized agency for culture) recognized Ukrainian borscht as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. There are about a hundred recipes (half-jokingly they say that each housewife has her own recipe) and dozens of varieties of this dish. Be sure to try it and form your own impression of Ukrainian borscht.

Ukrainians will be hospitably happy and sincerely grateful to you, if in this difficult time for their country, you come and join the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

The Commissioner for Recruitment of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Bezhevets gave an interview to the popular Brazilian YouTube blogger Ricardo Albuquerque Pinto, in which he answered questions about the number of Brazilian volunteers, the features of registration and training, and also noted that information about possible peace negotiations did not affect the process of recruiting foreign volunteers to the ranks of the Ukrainian army.

- How are Brazilian volunteers doing in Ukraine?

- We have seen a large increase in the number of applications from Brazilian volunteers in recent months. These are literally thousands of applications every month. So, first of all, I would like to thank the Brazilian people for responding to the call and joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

However, there may be delays in responding to volunteer applications, as there are a lot of applications. We are working to speed up processing. However, it may happen that some candidates will have to wait several days, maybe a week, to receive an invitation to an online interview and then proceed to the next stage.

In general, the online registration system works very effectively. Many of the people we interviewed a month ago have already arrived in Ukraine and started the procedure for preparing documents for military service. It takes about a week, sometimes two. Then they go to a training center, where they undergo thorough military training. This process is well-established and works very well.

– Do Brazilian volunteers meet the expectations of the Ukrainian army?

– Yes, absolutely. Many of them are well-trained, motivated, have experience in the army, police or security services. They already have basic knowledge of weapons. And this is very good, because it is easier for them to undergo training. We just need to teach them the command structure and how to operate in a modern war, in the conditions that are now on the front lines in Ukraine.

We are giving them a unique experience of a modern war — the experience of World War III, which has already begun here, in Ukraine. And I believe that this will be useful for Brazil — because its citizens here are gaining practical experience of modern combat.

– Regarding the current situation — there have been reports of peace talks initiated by US President Trump. Is there any pause, a truce expected? What is your opinion?

– This must be clearly explained: the war continues, and we will continue to need the support of volunteers from all over the world.

Yes, the negotiations are continuing, but given the history of negotiations with Russia, it is obvious that they do not have a sincere intention to reach an agreement. As our President Volodymyr Zelensky says, the Russian aggressor is simply trying to gain time to strengthen its positions and continue the illegal occupation of part of the territory of Ukraine.

Ukraine is ready for a full and indefinite ceasefire. We have stated this repeatedly. But for this to become a reality, both sides must be ready. Today, only Ukraine is ready, and Russia is not. That is why we continue to invite volunteers to join the Ukrainian army, strengthen our forces and continue the fight against Russia, defending our state.

– So, you continue to recruit Brazilians, other South Americans and people from all over the world, right?

– Yes, absolutely. Currently, volunteers from over a hundred countries serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is already a global initiative.

For the first time in the history of Ukraine, we have created a Center for Recruiting Foreign Volunteers. This is a special structure for attracting foreigners, as well as for providing them with support once they have arrived — both legal and social. We help them go through all the procedures.

The question of salaries in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (officially called monetary support) is one of the main ones that interests foreign volunteers. Today we will tell you the basic rules for accruing money in the Ukrainian military service.

Cash payments are not made until arrival in Ukraine and signing a contract. Salary accrual begins from the first day of signing the contract. It is credited to the serviceman's personal bank card, which is opened in one of the Ukrainian banks. You can withdraw cash, pay for the service with a card or send a money transfer abroad.

It is important to know: military salaries for Ukrainian citizens and foreign volunteers are the same.

For the period of training at the Training Center (lasting from 30 days to 6 weeks), staying outside the combat zone (now this is a rarity), the financial support is about 490 US dollars. After completing training and starting service in a combat zone, cash payments increase.

The combat zone and the tasks performed by servicemen are different. Therefore, we have 4 types of payments that depend on where the serviceman is located.

If a serviceman performs combat or special tasks outside a combat zone, he receives an additional $715.

If he performs combat or special tasks as part of a military command body, a headquarters of a group of troops, a tactical group headquarters, or other similar bodies, he receives an additional $1,190.

The most likely service option is direct participation in combat operations. Here, the additional cash reward is $2,380 per month.

It is important to clarify that such amounts are paid for a full month of stay in a combat zone and the performance of combat and special tasks. That is, if you directly participate in combat operations for 15 days, then your payment will be: $ 490 + $ 1190 combat pay for 15 days. So in total: $ 1680 per month.

In addition, an additional payment of $ 1670 is paid. It is paid when a serviceman is on combat missions for a full 30 days. For example, one month a serviceman took direct part in combat operations for 15 days, in another also for 15 days. As a result, at the end of the second month he will receive an additional $ 1670. So in 2 months his salary will be $ 5030.

Many foreigners perform combat or special tasks in a combat zone for 30 days. So in a month such a serviceman can receive $ 4540. On average, a Ukrainian serviceman, including a foreign volunteer performing tasks on the front line, will receive $3-4 thousand per month.

You can read or watch more about how to optimally get to Ukraine from Latin American countries here.  

You can read or watch more about what to take with you on a trip to Ukraine here.  

You can read or watch the appeal of the authorized representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for foreign volunteers Oleksiy Bezhevets here.  

The luggage you need to take with you on a trip to Ukraine should not be bulky. To avoid additional costs for transporting unnecessary items, remember that the hand luggage that you can take with you into the cabin of the plane is limited to a maximum of 10 kilograms. It will be optimal to put things in a backpack.

Keep in mind that upon arrival at the military unit and enrollment in the unit, you will be given all the necessary equipment. You will receive from several jackets and boots to several sets of underwear and socks, depending on the summer or winter season.

Therefore, when traveling to Ukraine, you should put in your backpack:

- two T-shirts,

- four pairs of underwear,

- two pairs of socks,

- spare pants,

- a warm sweater or jacket.

It is also worth taking a spare pair of closed comfortable shoes. Sneakers are best suited. Don't forget about personal hygiene products.

Ukraine is a developed country where you can find and buy everything you need at reasonable prices.

The main thing is to remember to bring the documents and necessary things that you should always have with you:

- passport,

- travel tickets,

- printed invitation letter to the Armed Forces of Ukraine,

- mobile phone and portable charger.

Also take a certain amount of cash in euros or US dollars, preferably in small bills.

We wish you all a good trip and welcome to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!

You can read or watch more about how to optimally get to Ukraine from Latin American countries here.

You can read or watch the address of the authorized representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on issues Oleksiy Bezhevets to foreign volunteers here.   

An official invitation letter is needed to avoid problems during your trip to Ukraine. If when crossing the border, migration officers ask for a return ticket, you just need to present this official letter. Having an invitation letter does not exempt you from the need to have a visa if the transfer from your country requires one.

To receive this invitation letter, you need to fill out a form on our website. After that, a recruiter will contact you and conduct a short interview. If you are selected, the letter will be sent to you by e-mail or WhatsApp. We emphasize that the invitation letter is provided free of charge.

Pay attention to what the official invitation letter looks like. It is written in two languages: Ukrainian and the language of your country. At the top is the logo of the Foreigners Recruitment Center, which is located in the Ukrainian city of Ternopil. It also contains your personal information: name and surname, date of birth, citizenship. At the bottom is the commander’s signature and the seal of the Foreign Recruitment Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The letter also contains the phone number of the Center on duty, which is open 24 hours a day. When crossing the border or in another case, an official can call this number and they will confirm the information about the purpose of your visit to Ukraine.

You can read or watch more about how to optimally get to Ukraine from Latin American countries here. 

You can read or watch the story of a Brazilian volunteer who tells about his own experience of participating in combat operations and modern warfare here.  

You can read or watch the address of the authorized representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on issues Oleksiy Bezhevets to foreign volunteers here.  

Step-by-step instructions on how to register to join the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

1- When you receive the automatic message, you will have 3 links available, select the language and copy only the link and paste it into your Google Chrome browser or a browser of your choice.

2- Now you are on the home page of the Recruitment Center website. On this page you have all the information about the recruitment requirements and also the available vacancies as well as the salary amount.

3- After you have obtained all the information and are ready to register, click on the yellow link that says “Submit Application”.

4- Now on this registration page, fill in all the important fields that are marked with a “Red Asterisk”. In the field for attaching a copy of your Passport, the file must be an image (gif, jpg or pdf) and the file cannot exceed 15mb. 5- If you have any important certificates that justify your profession as a doctor, paramedic, nurse, or military police officer, add these certificates to the field on page 4 of your request.

6- After checking that all the important fields are filled in, on page 5 there is the “CAPTCHA” which are the security letters for you to send your request. If any important field is not filled in you will not be able to send your request, so it is important that you check each page before moving on to the next.

7- Thank you for your request. We are receiving many requests. Please be patient, but all will be answered and responded to.

“The combat work of Colombian volunteers does not cause any reservations. They fight excellently side by side with Ukrainian fighters,” said in an interview with Army-TV. Senior Lieutenant of the Rubizh Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine Vladyslav “Vogon” Stotsky, who received the highest state award of Hero of Ukraine. According to him, before being on the front line, Ukrainian military and Colombian volunteers underwent coordination at the training ground. Thanks to this, complications in combat conditions were avoided.

The Ukrainian officer highly praised the initial level of physical training and motivation of Colombian fighters. The commander of "Fire" also expressed his admiration for the Colombian volunteer, a tactical medic, who in close combat not only quickly and professionally provided him with medical assistance when he was wounded, but also quickly loaded the magazines into the machine gun.

To avoid problems when traveling to Ukraine, you need an official invitation. The Ukrainian side sends an invitation to the volunteer after an interview with a recruiter. Thanks to the invitation, you will not have any problems in other countries on the way to Ukraine, if you use the routes recommended by us.

Those who come without an invitation may encounter a low problem when crossing the borders of other countries:

- you may not be allowed to enter the transit country due to the first document.

- you may be asked for a return border after landing at the airport.

Travel to Ukraine

In order to travel to Ukraine from any country in Latin America, you just need to go to the international airport closest to your place of residence, which offers international air connections in a European country. These can be: Spain (Madrid), France (Paris), Germany (Berlin or Frankfurt am Main). After arriving in one of the above countries, head to Poland (Warsaw). The cheapest way to do this is by land transport (bus or train).

When you arrive in Warsaw, go to the bus station at the address: Kijowska, 20 (indicate the address of the taxi driver or get there yourself). Upon arrival at the bus station, enter the building and go to the special counter "Volunteer Registration Point". Tell the people at the counter that you are a volunteer and are heading to Ukraine. They will fully guide you with the next steps and, if necessary, provide food, accommodation and fully purchase tickets to Ukraine.

The cost of a bus ticket to the Ukrainian city of Ternopil is 25-30 dollars. When crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border, you present your documents to the border guards and inform them that you are a volunteer of the Ukrainian army. If your documents are in order, i.e. you have an official invitation and there are no problems with staying in Europe (i.e. you have not exceeded the 90-day limit), you will cross the border without any problems and get to Ternopil. There should be no problem, after the route has already been developed and established. In case of any misunderstandings, inform your recruiter by phone.

Important points when traveling to Ukraine

You follow the connection with your recruiter throughout the trip and discuss all the questions you may have. Follow all the instructions of your recruiter, who will explain the route and answer your questions.

Be sure to send a copy of your passport and flowers from your recruiter via WhatsApp while you are at home to receive an official invitation. Welcome the invitation via WhatsApp and print it before the trip.

Be sure to wear CIVILIAN clothes so as not to attract attention. Ask your recruiter what you should bring with you depending on the season. In autumn and winter, this may be warm clothes.

Initial costs in Ukraine

Accommodation during registration – until you become a military serviceman – will cost from $5 to $20 per day. You must be able to pay for accommodation in a hostel for 8-20 days, until you draw up documents for signing the contract. Food during this time is free at the expense of our volunteers, public transport is also free, so the total costs of the population and the cost starts from $40 for the entire period.

After signing the contract, you will receive a military uniform, bulletproof vest, helmet and other equipment. You will also be provided with three meals a day and medical care. You will undergo training in a military training camp for at least 30 days and only after that will you go to the military unit.

A former Swedish MP Carolyn Nordengrip has joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and become an instructor for recruits in the 47th Special Forces Group "Magura".

This is reported in the story of Radio Liberty.

At the age of 19, Carolyn Nordengrip completed her military service and served in the National Guard for several years, before choosing a political career.

Having been elected to the Swedish parliament, she worked in the defense committee. Her competence, among other things, included the deployment of Swedish forces in other countries and the export of weapons. Her parliamentary salary was about 7 thousand euros per month.

But the Russian aggression against Ukraine changed her life. She first arrived in Ukraine in March 2022 and stayed there for about six weeks. And the final decision to change her fate was made after a meeting with the Ukrainian ambassador.

“I remember so well the moment when I lowered my eyes, looked at my expensive suit and thought: “What am I doing here [in the Swedish parliament]? I’m a soldier!”, and literally a week later I was in Ukraine,” the woman recalls.

After that, she resigned from her parliamentary duties and became a military instructor – training infantry. She was pleasantly surprised by how easy and comfortable it is to work with Ukrainians, how polite they are and how gentle they are with animals, which also explains a lot.

“People of Ukraine, continue to defend freedom and peace,” Carolyn addressed the Ukrainians, and called on her compatriots to help them in every way.

Ukraine has become home to many foreign volunteers who responded to the call to help resist Russian aggression. One of them is JC - a volunteer from Brazil who has been serving in the ranks of Ukraine’s Defense Forces for two years.

In a detailed interview, JC talks about his journey - from the initial idea of joining Ukraine's resistance to taking part in combat on the front lines. He arrived in Ukraine in 2023, invited personally by a Ukrainian friend. With prior military experience, JC quickly adapted and found himself on the front line just days after arriving.

Today, the process for new volunteers is much more organized. JC explains in detail how the recruitment system works: registering through an online portal, arriving at the center in Ternopil, and undergoing training at the base of the Fourth International Legion of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Even those without combat experience can receive the necessary training and everything required for service.

JC talks about the realities of modern warfare - drones, technology, and new types of weaponry. The Ukrainian front has become a kind of laboratory where daily adaptation and new skills are vital. According to him, the experience gained by volunteers here is unique and rarely accessible in peaceful countries.

JC also emphasizes the importance of logistics - rotation, food supply, and parcel delivery even to the zero line of the front. He notes that the high level of organization in the Ukrainian army impresses many foreigners.

The interview also addresses important practical issues: salary, bank transfers to Brazil, the process of signing a contract (which usually takes up to two weeks), the role of drones in combat, and how experience in Ukraine’s Defense Forces is invaluable for a future career.

To conclude, JC addresses all Brazilians and Latin Americans with a call to join the fight for freedom:

“Ukraine is far better prepared than it was a few years ago. You’ll get everything - training, equipment, a new profession. And most importantly - you’ll feel the genuine gratitude and support of the Ukrainian people.”
 

In cooperation with World Revolving