Polish Volunteer Corps
Ukrainian Interior Ministry special unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Polish Volunteer Corps (PDK; Polish: Polski Korpus Ochotniczy; Ukrainian: Польський добровольчий корпус, romanized: Polskyi dobrovolchyi korpus, ПДК) is a currently inactive group consisting of international volunteers from Poland fighting on the side of Ukraine during the Russian invasion of the country.[5][4][6]
| Polish Volunteer Corps | |
|---|---|
| Polski Korpus Ochotniczy | |
Emblem of the Polish Volunteer Corps | |
| Founded | February 2023 |
| Disbanded | 2 January 2025 (original form)[1] |
| Country |  Poland |
| Allegiance |  Ukraine |
| Branch | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine[2] |
| Part of |  International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Unknown |
| Insignia | |
| Flag |  |
The PDK fought against Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5][7] The PDK also fought in the Belgorod incursions with the Russian Volunteer Corps and Freedom of Russia Legion.[3][4]
History
The PDK was founded in February 2023.[5] The PDK fought against Russia during the Belgorod incursions.[3] The PDK posted images on Twitter that showed them fighting with the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion in Belgorod.[8][3] The PDK stated that no one had been killed during the fighting in Belgorod.[4] The Polish government has denied any ties with the group, and insists that any action by the volunteers is not representative of the Polish government or the Polish armed forces.[9]
On 2 January 2025, the PDK announced on its now-defunct Telegram channel that due to "significant changes" in "every aspect of the war", including "technological leaps" and " structural changes in formations and their management methods", the PDK had to "close [its] operations in their current form". Its membership continues to serve in the Ukrainian military in different capacities.[1]
Organization
The PDK is a special unit for reconnaissance and sabotage, which does not belong to the Ukrainian Foreign Legions, but is likely part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.[10]
