The Norwegian foreign fighters cannot expect help from the Norwegian authorities if the worst should happen. In an e-mail to Dagbladet, communications adviser Siri R. Svendsen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes:
– We know that Norwegian citizens have enlisted in the Ukrainian military, but we do not have an overview of how many there are, where they are or what may have happened to them. Those who contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about possible travel to Ukraine are advised against this and informed about the travel council, which advises against all travel and encourages them to leave the country.
She adds:
– There are very limited opportunities to help Norwegian citizens in Ukraine. It is also not possible for us to search for or obtain more information about Norwegian citizens who travel to Ukraine to enlist.
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She emphasizes:
– Those who contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about possible travel to Ukraine are advised against this and informed about the travel council which advises against all travel and encourages them to leave the country. The Norwegian embassy in Kyiv is temporarily closed, and the embassy is operated from Warsaw until further notice. There are very limited opportunities to assist Norwegian citizens in Ukraine.
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Controversial contract
Dagbladet knows the identities of about 20 Norwegians who have planned to travel to the front in Ukraine and enlist in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion.
The majority of them have contacted the embassy to be formally admitted to the Foreign Legion. Several of them have been intimidated by the contract they have to sign, which states that they enlist “until the war is over” – and risk being branded as deserters if they travel before that time.
PRESS SPEECH: Siri R. Svendsen. Photo: UD
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A Finnish foreign warrior Dagbladet met in the border town of Przemysl in Poland says, however, that he has been allowed to leave Ukraine to gather energy, before returning. The same said the Canadian sniper Wali to Dagbladet on Thursday. Other foreign fighters have made similar testimonies in the international media.
The Ukrainian embassy has stated that up to 150-200 Norwegians have contacted them to enlist, but the number who have actually traveled in conflict is probably significantly lower.
FOREIGNERS: Norwegian «Mr. T »(center) pictured with brothers in arms in Ukraine. Photo: Private
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Pictures from the front
One of those who is actually fighting the Russians is 48 years old «Mr. T »from Eastern Norway. Dagbladet interviewed him when he landed in Krakow, Poland on March 20. Just over 24 hours after the interview, “Mr T” said that he had crossed the border into Ukraine.
He has sent Dagbladet a number of messages and photo documentation from inside the war area.
