Ukraine site for foreign fighter enlistment tells Russia to ‘f**k’ itself

Ukraine has launched a website asking people to fight for the country. It provides information about joining the nation’s International Legion to fight Russia. While the website lists all countries and provides contact details for the Ukrainian embassy there, no details are provided for those wishing to sign up from Russia.

Instead, the website has the now-iconic line uttered by the soldiers on Snake Island who faced the Russian warship. The line on the site reads, “Russian warship, go f**k yourself‘. 

The website gives context about the Russian assault on Ukraine, which started on February 24, with President Vladimir Putin sending in troops to “denazify” and “demilitarize” the country. 

It goes on to label Russian actions as a “war against the entire Europe”. The International Legion of Ukraine has been started by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and specifies that it wants foreign citizens who wish to fight Russian occupation and take a stand for global security. 

Further, steps are detailed about how one can apply to be a part of this group of international fighters, and it promises a “vital experience”. 

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Zelenskyy initially announced the formation of this international legion on Sunday, and soon, Ukraine saw the first batch of 16,000 foreign fighters bolster the nation’s troops against Russians. The president welcomed them saying, “Ukraine is already greeting foreign volunteers. [The] first 16,000 are already on their way to protect freedom and life for us, and for all”. 

Notably, several people from the US and Canada had shown a willingness to sign up, feeling that their governments weren’t doing enough for the Ukrainians. 

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Currently, Russian troops in Ukraine have faced more resistance than expected and there have been accounts of them targeting civilians instead. While the capital, Kyiv, has held out, Russia now seems to be trying to cut Ukraine off from the Black and Azov Seas. Kherson has already fallen, and Mariupol could be next, with Russia reportedly announcing a ceasefire so citizens can evacuate. Naval movement in the Black Sea has also sparked fears of an amphibious assault targeting Odesa.