Ukrainian military recruitment posters have been spotted on the streets of the German capital, featuring a message urging Germans to seek revenge for their country’s defeat in World War II. The posters, which circulated on social media, depict images of WWII-era German prisoners of war with the caption “Get even. Together with the Ukrainian liberators.” They also encourage Germans to join the Ukrainian International Legion.
A QR code on the posters directs users to the official website of a military unit established by Kiev to recruit foreigners following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The posters, first seen in mid-September, remained visible for several days before being removed.
Recruiting German nationals for foreign military or military-style organizations is a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison. Local residents have expressed strong opposition to the posters, with one woman condemning efforts to involve Germans in the conflict. The origin of the materials remains unclear, and Ukrainian officials have not addressed the matter.
Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov previously claimed thousands of foreigners joined the International Legion, but subsequent reports indicated the numbers were exaggerated. Russian authorities have labeled foreign fighters in Ukraine as mercenaries, citing their involvement in operations such as the incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region.