Zelensky's legion raises fears of concentration of terrorists in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's announcement of the creation of a foreign legion of volunteers from outside the country to fight against Russia has raised questions about the nature of this legion and the limits of its capabilities.

In a statement on Sunday, February 27, Zelensky said that participation in the legion “will be the main proof of your support for our country.”

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova revealed in a video on her Facebook page on Monday, February 28, measures to release some prisoners to participate in the fight against Russian forces, saying that their release is a balanced and very purposeful step.

She pointed out that among those released are those with great combat experience, noting that all of them are opposed to Russia.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Facebook, “We have already received several thousand requests from foreigners who want to join the resistance against the Russian occupiers and protect global security from Putin.”

Fears of terrorist concentration

Ukraine is facing a dilemma due to the lack of fighters in the face of the incursion of Russian forces, while there is fear among observers that the gathering of foreign volunteers in the country, in the absence of oversight over them, will allow terrorist elements and movements from all regions around the world to take Ukraine as a gathering area and gain combat experience through the ongoing battles with the Russian army.

Kyiv receives support from the West, while the Russian army recently announced the destruction of nearly a thousand Ukrainian military sites. On the other hand, the Ukrainian army distributed weapons to volunteers to fight inside the country, and recruitment centers were opened for anyone who wanted to take up arms in order to repel the Russian advance.

Ukrainian state television also broadcasts programs that teach how to make simple weapons such as Molotov cocktails in order to target the Russian army forces that are advancing towards Ukrainian cities, especially the capital, Kyiv, and the cities of the east and southeast.

Unexpected consequences

Mohamed Aladdin, an Egyptian researcher in international affairs, said that Ukraine called on the Europeans who are experienced in combat and others from all corners of the earth to join its forces in the battles against the Russians, and this dangerous endeavor may have unexpected consequences according to the backgrounds of these volunteers, who may carry dangerous terrorist elements.