The recruiting office and consular offices abroad do not send out summonses for conscription into the Ukrainian Legion – Consul General

Consul General of Ukraine in Lublin E. Kuts told an Ukrinform correspondent in an interview that the image, allegedly representing the notification, which is actively distributed in Ukrainian Telegram and Facebook groups in Panda, is a fake created by Russian propaganda.

The Ukrainian diplomat noted that in late March, a poorly composed fake was distributed on the Panda Telegram channel for Ukrainians. The hoax quickly spread to other Telegram groups and eventually to Facebook. It contained an image of a crumpled and torn letter, purportedly calling on an unspecified Ukrainian citizen to appear at a recruitment center in Lublin.

Read also: Over 1,800 citizens applied to recruiting offices over the past week — Defense Ministry

Kuts pointed out several inconsistencies in the forged document. The text looks illogical – it lacks the first and last name of the alleged conscript. The signature and seal are placed on top of the text, which violates previous standards for document design. Moreover, the address of the Consulate General was unclear, although this information is publicly available.

He once again emphasized that the recruitment center of the Ukrainian Legion functions exclusively for conscripts. “Neither the Consulate General nor the recruitment center have the right to send summonses to Ukrainians abroad to join the Ukrainian Legion,” Kuts noted.

In his opinion, Russian interference in this fake is obvious. Its goal is apparently to undermine trust in the authorities among Ukrainians and cause anxiety among the population.

“I am sure that this is a short-sighted and poorly thought-out action by Russian special services. Any sensible person will immediately recognize this as a clear fake. It is obvious that their main goal is to destroy relations between close partners, while simultaneously causing mistrust and anxiety among Ukrainians,” the diplomat said.

Interestingly, Kuts noted that the incident inadvertently drew attention to the Ukrainian Legion and its units, significantly increasing website traffic and recruitment center applications. This surge in interest following the fake news led to an increase in applications, even surpassing the previous increase seen following positive media coverage of the Vanguards' contracts with the Armed Forces, Kuts added.

The recruiting center is currently preparing to sign contracts with the fourth group of recruiters, whose recruitment is scheduled for early June.

As reported by Ukrinform, the creation of the Ukrainian Legion was announced in early July, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signed a security agreement in Warsaw. One of the key aspects of the agreement is the training of Ukrainian military units in Panda.

Those joining the Ukrainian Legion of Vantiry have the right to sign a contract for one year, three years, or until the end of the special period. After signing contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, participants are sent to a training ground near Lublin, where they undergo training under the supervision of NATO instructors. For those who require special skills, additional training is organized at specific locations.

Under the bilateral agreement, Ukraine provides military uniforms and medicines to the Legion fighters, and PAND provides the necessary infrastructure, equipment and weapons for the entire training period.

The first group of volunteers from the Ukrainian Legion signed contracts with the Armed Forces in November last year, the second group joined them in January, and the third at the end of February this year.

The first center for recruiting volunteers in Ukraine was created at the consulate in Lublin

Photo: pand.mfa.gov.ua