Ukraine recruits fewer than 350 foreign fighters through official channels in early 2026

Ukraine has recruited fewer than 350 foreign fighters through official channels in the first five months of 2026. This number is considered "minuscule" by military observers. Yuriy Butusov, a drone platoon commander, stated that state efforts to recruit foreign infantry are insufficient and lag significantly behind Russia's. He highlighted a lack of state interest and funding for large-scale recruitment. This comes as Ukraine's Presidential Office previously suggested a unified coordination center for foreign recruitment. In December 2025, the Ministry of Defense outlined conditions for foreign military service.