Finland issues guidelines for volunteer fighters, Russia reacts

By admin On Feb 4, 2025

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs published an information package on its website on 3 February 2025 for those planning or considering travelling to Ukraine as volunteer fighters, as well as for their family and friends. LEHTIKUVA

The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published an online information package for citizens considering volunteering in the war in Ukraine. The document outlines risks, legal implications, and consular assistance for Finns who choose to fight.

The Ministry states that it does not encourage or endorse participation in the war but aims to provide practical guidance for volunteers and their families.

The webpage, available in Finnish and Swedish, covers issues such as signing service contracts, injuries, death, missing status, and prisoner-of-war situations. It also advises on personal arrangements in case of a delayed or permanent absence.

According to the Ministry, the information is based on experiences from Finland’s embassy in Kyiv and reflects the latest available understanding of the situation. However, it notes that conditions can change rapidly, and the details may not always remain current.

The guidance follows reports that Finnish citizens have been among the foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Finland has previously stated that its citizens have the right to join Ukraine’s armed forces, but they do so at their own risk.

Russia has strongly condemned Finland’s decision to issue the guidelines. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Helsinki of endangering its own citizens.

“In my opinion, the authors of such ‘instructions’ were guided by nothing but hatred for their own citizens and disregard for their fate,” Zakharova told Russian state media. “Who in the Finnish government hates the Finns so much?”

Finnish officials have not yet responded to the criticism.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi