Russian embassy urges Thais not to join the fight
The embassy of Russia in Bangkok has warned Thai citizens against volunteering to fight alongside Ukrainians.
The embassy posted a statement on its Facebook account on Saturday (Mar 5) that the Russian Defence Ministry strongly advises against such participation in foreign military campaigns.
Last week, Ukraine presi
dent Volodymyr Zelensky published an appeal on the government’s Facebook account urging foreign citizens to help the country fight against Russia’s invasion.
“The President of Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is addressing all citizens of the world, friends of Ukraine, peace and democracy. Anyone
who wants to join the defense
of Ukraine, Europe and the world can come and fight side
by side with the Ukrainians against Russia,” the post said.
The appeal resonated with a group of Thais who stated they were more than willing to volunteer.
Dej, 39, a volunteer ranger
from Narathiwat, said he has followed the news about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and felt upset over Russia’s invasion, which he described as like an adult bullying a small child, prompting him to want to volunteer to fight with Ukraine against Russia.
“I hate to see strong people harassing weak ones. I am
ready to quit as a volunteer ranger and fly to Ukraine if I am recruited to join the fight,” he said.
He said he was trained in using weapons, though he still
has to find money for travel expenses and air tickets.
Tack, 39, from Phetchabun
also said he would gladly volunteer, likewise Golf, 31, a former army conscript, who said he arrived at the Ukrainian embassy on Witthayu Road to enquire about recruitment.
He passed on the informa
tion to his friends who have now formed a group to stand by Ukraine.
About 20 Thais turned up at the Ukrainian embassy last Thursday (Feb 4) to seek information about the recruit
ment process, and they formed
a Line group named “volunteer soldiers to Ukraine” to share information.
One problem, however, is that many of those interested lack basic weapons training, while some are former conscripts but have no experience
in actual battle, sources said.
According to a notice posted outside the embassy, applicants are required to submit documents, including proof of military training, via email to the embassy’s second secretary.
The notice also said volunteers must pay for their own travel expenses and other costs.
The embassy dismissed as
baseless information shared on social media that volunteers will be granted Ukrain
ian citizenship and other rewards after the conflict.
The embassy of Russia says that under international humanitarian law such merce
naries do not qualify as combatants and cannot be granted prisoner-of-war status.