Nigerian volunteer to join Ukraine in its fight against Russia

At a time when Nigerians in Ukraine are looking for ways to return home, around 115 young Nigerians volunteered Tuesday to join Ukraine in its fight against Russia, according to The Guardian.

The volunteers went to the Ukrainian Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, and entered their names in a register provided by the embassy that keeps a list of those willing to fight alongside the Ukrainian people.

Foreign fighters have been traveling to Ukraine to respond to President Volodymir Zelensky's call for foreign nationals to enlist in the Ukrainian army.

Zelensky made the call to action to "all citizens of the world" in a statement on his official website.

"Anyone who wants to join the defense of Ukraine, Europe, and the world can come and fight side by side with Ukrainians against Russian war criminals," the Ukrainian president wrote, explaining that they could join a new subdivision called the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry has received "thousands" of applications since that announcement, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Twitter.

“President Zelenskyy announced creation of a new unit named "International Legion".We already have thousands requests from foreigners, who want to join the resistance to the 🇷🇺 occupiers and protect the world security from Putin regime"-Hanna Maliar - Deputy Minister of Defence

— Defence of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 28, 2022

Social media channels and messaging apps have been created to share details on how to join the newly established foreign legion, reported The Independent. Some users have crowdfunded their trips, while others have sold their personal belongings.