Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadian troops ordered to stay out of Ukraine

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Mar, 2022 10:00 AM
  • Canadian troops ordered to stay out of Ukraine

OTTAWA - Members of the Canadian Armed Forces have been banned from joining the thousands of foreigners who have flocked to Ukraine in recent weeks to help fight Russia’s invasion.

Vice-chief of the defence staff Lt.-Gen. Frances Allen told the House of Commons defence committee on Wednesday that the order came from Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of the defence staff and it applies to both full-time service members and part-time reservists.

“So for current CAF members, they are not permitted to be in the area, even if they were to be on leave,” Allen told the committee as she appeared alongside Defence Minister Anita Anand.

The only exception is if their presence in Ukraine is specifically approved by Eyre, Allen added. She did not indicate whether any Canadian troops are currently in Ukraine.

Canada previously had 250 military trainers in Ukraine, but the federal government said they were withdrawn to neighbouring Poland shortly before Russian forces invaded the country.

The government said those troops were re-tasked with providing humanitarian support, but Anand did not give the committee an update, citing operational security.

Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the creation of an “international brigade” to help fend off a Russian invasion that began Feb. 24.

Thousands of foreigners have since answered that call to arms, including many Canadians, despite warnings from the federal government against all travel to the country.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Anand repeated those warnings Wednesday when asked what support the government will give Canadians captured by Russian forces.

Russia has reportedly threatened criminal prosecutions against any foreigners captured fighting in Ukraine.

Allen, meanwhile, raised the spectre of Moscow attempting to use captured foreign fighters for propaganda purposes.

“Global Affairs has identified for Canadians the risks that are associated with going into a conflict zone at any given point in time, not only for their own physical safety and protection, but as well for disinformation,” she said.

“Foreigners who may be engaged in the country can be used in ways that are difficult and counterproductive to the work that is going on there through the disinformation campaigns that we know that Russia is very apt to use.”

Some experts have also raised questions about the legality of Canadians fighting in another country’s war, as well as the potential security concerns given the presence of far-right paramilitary groups in Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine will be the focus of a special meeting of NATO leaders in Brussels on Thursday, which will include Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Anand told the committee that the government is continuing to look at ways to support Ukraine as it continues to hold out against Russian forces, including the potential of buying more weapons for its military.

“We are doing whatever we can to assist Ukrainian soldiers at this time, including exploring the possibility of procurements from third-party suppliers, as well as liaising with our international partners to contribute to efforts to support Ukrainian soldiers in a bilateral way,” she said.

MORE National ARTICLES

Man in Vancouver allegedly attacks 5 women and damages property during crime spree

Man in Vancouver allegedly attacks 5 women and damages property during crime spree
The suspect allegedly approached a 40-year-old woman in her car, made shooting gestures, banged on the vehicle, and tried to open the car door. When she drove away, the suspect allegedly chased the vehicle down the street.    

Man in Vancouver allegedly attacks 5 women and damages property during crime spree

Court extends freeze on convoy protest donations

Court extends freeze on convoy protest donations
Parties in the case have agreed to move some donated funds and cryptocurrency into escrow, which could be redistributed to affected Ottawa residents and business owners should the class action succeed.

Court extends freeze on convoy protest donations

Border blockade proved Canada-U.S. trade vital: Ng

Border blockade proved Canada-U.S. trade vital: Ng
If anything, Ng says, the shutdown proved the point she is constantly making to American colleagues: that the trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada is vitally important to the economy on both sides of the border.

Border blockade proved Canada-U.S. trade vital: Ng

EU and Canada ban Russian flights over Europe over Ukraine crisis

EU and Canada ban Russian flights over Europe over Ukraine crisis
"We are shutting down the EU airspace for Russians," Von der Leyen said in a statement on Sunday, "We are proposing a prohibition on all Russian-owned, registered or controlled aircraft."

EU and Canada ban Russian flights over Europe over Ukraine crisis

583 COVID19 cases for Friday

583 COVID19 cases for Friday
There are 599 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 96 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, 12 new deaths have been reported for an overall total of 2,851.

583 COVID19 cases for Friday

Vancouver police release video of violent attack

Vancouver police release video of violent attack
The video shows two men taking turns punching a man's face and kicking his head and stomach as he lies on the ground, while a group of onlookers watches and films the attack.

Vancouver police release video of violent attack