Close X
Monday, November 25, 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Canada previously had 250 military trainers in Ukraine, but the federal government said they were withdrawn to neighbouring Poland shortly before Russian forces invaded the country.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

Canfor to sell B.C. tenure, assets for $70M

Canfor to sell B.C. tenure, assets for $70M
The Vancouver-based company says the sale of its rights to manage the forest and harvest timber to the McLeod Lake Indian Band and Tsay Keh Dene Nation is subject to approval from the provincial government.

Canfor to sell B.C. tenure, assets for $70M

Girl found safe, to be returned to mother

Girl found safe, to be returned to mother
Last month, police issued a Canada-wide warrant for the arrest of Michael Gordon Jackson and charged him with abduction in contravention of a custody or parenting order.

Girl found safe, to be returned to mother

597 COVID19 cases for Thursday in BC

597 COVID19 cases for Thursday in BC
There are 612 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 102 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, nine new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,840.

597 COVID19 cases for Thursday in BC

B.C. heeds devastating climate message: minister

B.C. heeds devastating climate message: minister
British Columbia's environment minister says the province can't afford to wait any longer to confront climate change after last year's devastating fires, floods, slides and heat waves. George Heyman says last year delivered the message that the time to address climate change is now.

B.C. heeds devastating climate message: minister

Canadians organize rallies in support of Ukraine

Canadians organize rallies in support of Ukraine
Demonstrations have been planned in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver today to denounce the Russian military strike against Ukraine, and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation has launched a fundraiser for humanitarian aid.

Canadians organize rallies in support of Ukraine

Canada brings in stronger sanctions for Russia

Canada brings in stronger sanctions for Russia
The new sanctions will target 58 people and entities connected to Russia, including members of that country's elite and their families, the paramilitary organization known as the Wagner Group and major Russian banks.

Canada brings in stronger sanctions for Russia