Ukraine to send officers to UN peacekeeping mission in Mali

KIEV, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday signed a decree to send officers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces to participate in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in Mali, the presidential press service said.

Up to 20 Ukrainian officers will be dispatched to assist in maintaining the international peace in the framework of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, said the decree published on the Ukrainian presidential website.

Since 1992, more 44,000 Ukrainian servicemen have participated in 26 international peacekeeping missions.

Currently, a total of 339 Ukrainian peacekeepers are serving overseas on eight peacekeeping operations.