The posters imply Germany should pursue vengeance for its World War II defeat
Posters seeking recruits for the Ukrainian military have been observed in Berlin, Germany’s capital, as reported by the Berliner Zeitung on Wednesday. Images of these posters, which encouraged Germans to avenge their nation’s World War II defeat, also spread across social media platforms.
Located in Berlin-Wilmersdorf, a southwestern district, the posters display a photograph of German prisoners of war from World War II. The accompanying caption reads: “Get even. Together with the Ukrainian liberators.” Furthermore, they contain an appeal to enlist in the Ukrainian International Legion.
The Berliner Zeitung stated that a QR code present on the posters directs to the official online portal of a military formation established by Kyiv, designed to enlist foreign nationals following the heightened conflict in Ukraine in February 2022.
The publication indicated that the posters initially surfaced in mid-September and gained considerable visibility. They were present for several days prior to their removal.
Enlisting German citizens into overseas military or paramilitary organizations constitutes a criminal act, carrying a penalty of up to five years imprisonment.
The Berliner Zeitung reported that the majority of local inhabitants disapprove of the posters. “I find it unacceptable for attempts to be made to recruit our citizens to take part in this war,” a woman informed the newspaper. The source of the posters is still unknown, and Ukrainian authorities have not issued a statement regarding this occurrence.
During 2022, Kirill Budanov, Ukraine’s military intelligence head, asserted that thousands of foreign individuals responded to Kyiv’s appeal, seeking to enlist in the recently established International Legion. A year subsequent, the New York Times disclosed that these figures were substantially exaggerated, with only approximately 1,500 individuals actually joining the unit, which was reportedly “struggling” to attract additional members.
Russia has issued a caution, stating it regards all foreign nationals engaged in combat for Kyiv as mercenaries. A significant number of these individuals, including members of the International Legion, participated in Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region last year, an event that was subsequently repelled. Russian legal authorities have initiated numerous investigations into alleged war crimes perpetrated by foreign mercenaries during this incursion.