A former senior Canadian military officer has been appointed to lead a new strategic council that will be responsible for advising Ukraine's territorial defense forces in the war against Russia.

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Retired Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) General and former Chief of the Defense Staff Rick Hillier will take on the new responsibility, the Ukrainian World Congress said on Friday.

Other former international military commanders are also part of this new group, which offers support to the territorial defense militia, made up of Ukrainian civilians.

"The men and women fighting this war are the sons and daughters of Ukraine," Rick Hillier said in a statement. “Before Russia invaded their country, they were doctors, students, plumbers and merchants. Today they stand on the front lines with the Ukrainian military, defending their homes and their families.”

General Hillier was recently present in Kyv where he met with Ukrainian troops, but also with defense and government officials.

“The Ukrainians have shown the world their resolve and determination, but they need our support to succeed against a vicious Russian invader who is committed to destroying the Ukrainian people and the rules-based international order,” added Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress.