Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, train close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Ukraine has already established a battalion of Georgian fighters called the Georgian Legion since the War in Donbass, but new volunteers would be stationed in the newly formed International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine. Mostly Chechen, many of whom fought in the, The battalion was created in honor of one of the leaders of the. [231], Damien Magrou reported to South Korean media on 28 March that South Korean volunteers are already deployed and fighting Russian troops. Georgia discourages its citizens from enlisting. man killed defending Ukrainian city from Russian forces, family says", "Guerre en Ukraine. Abravitova told the Cape Town Press Club, on 11 March, that anyone who wanted to join Ukraine's fight against Russia was welcome. [224], Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded a question in a press conference regarding the official stance towards any Taiwanese national who wants to join the International Legion in the war of Ukraine, stated "the government's consistent position is to call on all Taiwanese nationals to avoid traveling to Ukraine, due to the deteriorating situation in there. Late last month, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy created "The International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine," as a global appeal for foreigners to come to the aid of his country. It is illegal for Uzbek citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [11] Most foreign fighters arrived throughout the summer of 2014[12] and on 6 October 2014 the Ukrainian parliament voted to allow foreign fighters to join the Ukrainian military. It is illegal for Austrian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Austrian law. 25 to 30 supported Ukraine and 25 to 30 supported the Donbas separatists. Ukraine has called for foreign volunteers to join a new international legion to . Yedioth Ahronoth reported that an unidentified Israeli official stated that the Israeli defense establishment was "looking the other way", in part because of the increasingly pro-Ukrainian sentiments and growing suspicion toward Russia, the official himself noting his own solidarity toward Ukraine in the face of "the worst kind of Russian aggression". [147] The Ministry of Defence has already reported its first applicants. In many ways, Ukraine's International Legion harkens back to the International Brigades, the storied volunteer formations fighting for the Republican Government during the Spanish Civil War in . However, attempting to recruit a German citizen into foreign military service is illegal. Ukraine Creates Foreign Legion as Volunteers From Abroad Join the Fight Algeria discourages its citizens from enlisting. Ultimul lui mesaj, adresat camaradului taiwanez ucis: "Voi lupta impreuna cu sufletul lui pana la sfarsitul razboiului", "Suicide missions, abuse, physical threats: International Legion fighters speak out against leadership's misconduct", "Want to go fight for Ukraine? Step 2. Returning Soldiers Reveal the Dark Side of Life in the Ukrainian - Vice [188], On 1 March, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said, "I am aware that the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan is calling for such (volunteer soldiers), but I would like you to refrain from traveling to Ukraine, regardless of your purpose. [243], On 22 March, a Taiwanese Amis volunteer named Wang Jui-ti traveled to Helsinki to hand his application to join the Legion. The gratitude video prompted strong criticism from the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. Contact the Ukrainian embassy in your country, and ask to join the Ukraine International Legion. Mamulashvili also claimed they were waiting on the arrival of about 2030 other Albanian volunteers who have applied to join the war in Ukraine. Yes, I think that is a long-term commitment is the probable. Most were veterans of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), and were primarily of Ukrainian, Russian, or other former USSR roots, but not exclusively so, with recruits of Druze Israeli and American-Israeli backgrounds also noted. [296] As many as 1,000 foreign fighters had been training at the base as part of the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address that early on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a new military operation against . 04 March 2022. [180], On 25 March, it was reported by the Israeli national newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that a group of former IDF soldiers were training Ukrainian civilians; the ex-commando in charge stated to journalists that the program originated as a rescue mission for Ukraine's Jewish population but changed as the Ukrainian Jews required armed escorts and then military training. [224], In a BBC Focus Africa program on June 23, 2022, Russian Ministry of Defense officials claimed that four Senegalese volunteers were killed while under Ukrainian command. Pursuant to the new laws, joining the armed forces of a foreign state committing an act of aggression or any other armed unit participating in an act of aggression committed by a foreign state, participation in the commission of or preparing an act of aggression by a foreign state as well as knowingly and directly, including financially supporting an act of aggression by a foreign state is punishable as a criminal offence. [261] It has been reported those who travel to Ukraine may be acting in contravention of UK anti-terrorism laws, though legal experts said prosecution would be unlikely owing to the UK government's support for Ukraine's armed resistance. The International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, or the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, is a foreign military unit of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine.It was created on 27 February 2022 by the Ukrainian government at the request of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to fight against the Russian invasion of the country.In establishing the force, Ukraine joined more than 90 other . [37] Turkey has refused to comment on its citizens enlisting in the International Legion. She added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's idea was not new since France already had a foreign legion. The foreign legion does now appear to be adapting. In a tweet, the minister said: 'Foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, I invite you to contract foreign . [244] On 29 March, he said that the application was not successful because the legion changed its requirements for volunteers to have military experience with combat exposure. [145], The Embassy of Ukraine in Havana attempted to recruit for the International Legion in March 2022. Ukraine Sets up 'International Legion' for Foreigners to Fight Russians Later that evening, Ukraine's Minster of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, tweeted that Ukraine had officially formed the International Legion of [the] Territorial Defense of Ukraine. [88], On 3 March, Senegal's foreign ministry condemned a social media post by the country's Ukrainian embassy calling for volunteers as illegal under Senegalese law. "If these are people who are residing in Estonia on the basis of a visa or residence permit, then they simply cannot come back here again," Lauri explained. On February 27, 2022, just two days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for "friends of Ukraine, freedom and democracy" to volunteer for the Ukrainian Territorial . It is not part of Ukraine's official International Legion. It was subsequently reported on 23 March that "more than half" of the 18 had returned to Belgium, either to convalesce after the Yavoriv bombing or as a result of dissatisfaction with their conditions of service. The Ukrainian ambassador to Senegal was summoned and asked to take down the post. [203] 302. fightforua.org #StopRussianAggression", "Ralf, from Finland, joined the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine: "There are a lot of people who came to #Ukraine to fight the Russians & defend democracy and freedom" Freedom is a choice. Pakistan discourages its citizens from enlisting in the International Legion. Prepare your documents and equipment according to the Embassy requirements. On Sunday, he appealed to international volunteers to join Ukraine's International Legion of Territorial Defense . Asta e mna Moscovei", "40 Nederlanders onderweg naar Oekrane om te vechten tegen de Russen: 'Niet iedereen overziet de gevolgen', "Dutch Foreign Legion fighters wounded in Russian missile attack in western Ukraine", "Oekraens leger bevestigt: Nederlandse vrijwilliger overleden", "Another Dutch fighter killed in combat in Ukraine", "Over 500 Kiwis volunteer to fight for Ukraine International Legion against Russia despite a 'do not travel' warning", "New Zealand soldier who joined Ukraine foreign legion confirmed killed", "Corporal Dominic Abelen believed to have worked for special forces foreign military unit", "Kiwi soldier killed in Ukraine: New details emerge as foreign unit's 'luck ran out', "Nigerian volunteer: 'Fighting in Ukraine is better than living here', "Ukraine war: Nigerian and Senegalese soldiers killed, says Russia", Tidligere sametingsrepresentant i Ukraina: Jeg fler at det er vr tid for gi noe tilbake, "Peruano se une como voluntario para defender a Ucrania del ataque ruso: "Estoy dispuesto a dar mi vida", "Polak formuje oddzia do walki w Ukrainie. Minister of Justice Maris Lauri (Reform) said on Monday that Estonian law is unclear in regards to serving in a foreign military and whether doing so is punishable. [197], Kosovar law bars participation in foreign armed groups. Sebastiaan Faber of Oberlin College in the US argued that depicting the Legion as part of a war between fascism and anti-fascism risks playing "into the Kremlin's narrative, which seeks to portray the "special military operation" as an effort to "denazify" its western neighbor." [98], The Saeima of Latvia unanimously approved immunity from prosecution for Latvian volunteers who wish to join combat on the side of the Ukrainian military. Share. It is illegal for citizens of the United Kingdom to enlist in the International Legion under British law. Ukraine Wants Foreign Reinforcements. Will American Civilians Fight? Analysts say those who have responded to the call need to reconsider", "Explainer: Is it legal for foreigners to fight for Ukraine? [280], Under Article 425 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code, it states that anyone who fights as a mercenary to fight against another country will be imprisoned from 5 to 15 years. In March 2022, Serbian president Aleksandar Vui said "As for volunteers, since both sides have called for volunteers, the Serbian criminal code and we will amend it to be stricter outlaws participation in any conflicts that do not defend Serbia's territorial integrity," and "Any of those who think they should take part in some war, we will punish severely in accordance with our constitution and our laws. Ukraine's Foreign Legion Is Ready for Battle - Foreign Policy Slovakian citizens who want to join the International Legion must obtain a permit from the Slovak Republic before joining. [276] The Neutrality Act of 1794, a federal law whose provisions remains in effect as of March 2022, prohibits United States citizens from taking up arms while on US territory against any country at peace with the United States. . The justice minister did note, however, that rules exist according to which if someone joins another country's military to fight, then they should inform the state and be granted specific permission to do so. The Embassy of Ukraine in the UK is located in Holland Park in London. [120], As of 6 March, about 500 Brazilians are mobilizing on WhatsApp, Telegram and social networks groups to enlist. On 28 February, the president Milo Zeman stated he would be in favor of allowing potential volunteers to join the newly formed Ukrainian legion. Sniper unit former Ranger force COE. Interview with a Defense Attach of the Embassy of Ukraine to review your application to volunteer for military service. About 50 people managed to enter Ukraine by crossing the Sarpi customs point. ", "Meet the Foreign Volunteers Risking Their Lives to Defend Ukraineand Europe", "Volunteers from Belgium sign up for Ukraine's foreign legion", "Sign Me Up for Ukraine Fight: Not So Fast, Say SE Asia Govts", "Canadian troops ordered to stay away as foreign fighters flock to Ukraine", "Foreign Fighters In Ukraine: Is It Legal? However, there is no way to determine the exact number of casualties due to the fog of war. [173], The first photo of International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed an Indian volunteer. [54], On May 2, 2022, there were reports of Afghan refugees with combat experience in the now disbanded Afghan special forces volunteering to fight with assistance from fellow Afghans who can speak Ukrainian and have settled in Ukraine permanently. Ukraine: Foreign fighters 'offered 1,500 a day to fight against Russia' Step 1. However, the last prosecution for violating the law was in 1896 and the government has not threatened its enforcement since the, The United States discourages its citizens from enlisting in the International Legion. Ukraine declared martial law, and all adult men, 18-60, have been ordered to stay in the country. People were asked not to bring their own weapons to Ukraine. This week Ukraine appealed for foreign fighters to come join their efforts to stop Russia's invasion. Foreign fighters can be sentenced to up to seven years upon return to India. Despite this two Kosovar citizens reportedly travelled to join the International Legion in early March 2022. A spokesman for Ukraine's ministry of defence said that "we are focused on trained people. [190] It was reported that an unnamed company in Tokyo assisted the Embassy in recruiting potential candidates. International Legion of Defense for the Ukraine's Tweets - Twitter "We don't have a single clause that states that a person should be punished or that they must for example be granted permission or that they must go through some kind of procedure in order to go volunteer.". [71], Former Georgian Defense Minister, Irakli Okruashvili with some volunteers also traveled to Ukraine and joined the call to arms to defend Ukraine against Russia. However, it may be legal for Dutch civilians to join the International Legion. How to join International Legion to defend Ukraine - algorithm - Ukrinform "Foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, I invite you to contact foreign diplomatic missions of . Step 1. Fight for Ukraine See the Embassy's website for additional information). Le volontaire franais tu sur le front tait originaire du Calvados", "Danish citizen dies in Ukraine conflict", "Muere un espaol que combata en la guerra de Ucrania y que se alist para luchar contra Rusia", "Killed Kiwi soldier was on foreign legion operation in Ukraine", "Prague confirms first Czech volunteer soldier killed in Ukraine", "Svensk man ddad i stridigheter i Ukraina", "Family 'enormously proud' of Irishman killed fighting for Ukraine", "Foreign fighter italiano morto in Ucraina. Despite this he says over 500 New Zealanders have attempted to volunteer to fight in Ukraine against Russia. Those willing to enlist need to approach a local military recruitment office. German law does not forbid its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. These two examples closely parallel the situation in Ukraine. [158][159][160][161], As of July 9, 2022, two French volunteers were killed in action. [157] The French Foreign Legion prevents current serving legionnaires from serving in Ukraine. "[18] He also said the mobilization of foreign fighters in 2022 is much larger than the mobilization in 2014. [110][111], In Belgian law, it is not illegal for a Belgian citizen to enlist for service in a foreign army. [70], Herv Grandjean, a spokesperson for France's Ministry for the Armed Forces, said individual volunteers could be "integrated in a body of Ukrainian volunteers" and "we cannot prevent them from leaving, (but) nor can we sanction that type of project." [176], Rory Mason was the first Irish volunteer killed in the Kharkiv region in late September or early October 2022. [103] On 22 March, it was reported that an unknown number of Argentinians have signed up to join. The fightforua.org website contains detailed step-by-step instructions on how to join the just fight against . [170], Oz Katerji, a freelance war correspondent based in Kyiv, tweeted on 1 March that "a group of Kurds have joined the Ukrainian foreign legion" to fight against Russia. She added that anyone who has gone to fight who commits war crimes will likewise face punishment. [273] Simon Lingard died of shrapnel wounds after his unit came under attack from Russian forces. [26], The criteria listed for joining included having prior military or medical experience and submitting documents as proof of military service to the Ministry of Defense official at the Ukrainian embassy. Due to Georgia already having had military conflicts with Russia in the 1992 Abkhazian War and 2008 War, many Georgians sympathized with Ukrainians and therefore went to help. On 9 March, a 19-year old Coldstream Guard soldier left his barracks at Windsor and traveled to Poland in order to enlist with the legion. [61], Some casualties have been officially reported. The International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine,[note 1] or the Ukrainian Foreign Legion,[3] is a foreign military unit of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine. Now, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, some U.S. military veterans eager for a war with what they see as a righteous cause have pledged to come to Ukraine's defense. ", 20212022 BelarusEuropean Union border crisis, On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians, Evacuation of the Donetsk PR and Luhansk PR, Mobilization in Donetsk PR and Luhansk PR, On conducting a special military operation, international recognition of the Donetsk PR and Luhansk PR, Northeastern UkraineRussia border skirmishes, Ust-Ilimsk military commissariat shooting, Combat Organization of Anarcho-Communists, Annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, Assassination attempts on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mykolaiv government building missile strike, Zaporizhzhia residential building airstrike, Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure, 2023 Dnipro residential building airstrike, Torture of Russian soldiers in Mala Rohan, Torture and castration of a Ukrainian POW in Pryvillia, restrictions on transit to Kaliningrad Oblast, European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Destroyed Russian military equipment exhibition, Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Forced confiscation law of Russian property, National Council for the Recovery of Ukraine from the War, Conmemorative Medal "Participant of a Special Military Operation", Manifesto of the South Russian People's Council, Russian Orthodox clergymen appeal against war, Danish European Union defence opt-out referendum, Proposed Russian annexation of South Ossetia, Recognition of Russia as a terrorist state, Serving heads of state and government that have visited Ukraine during the invasion, demolition of monuments to Alexander Pushkin, State Duma initiative for charging Vladimir Putin of high treason, Yermak-McFaul Expert Group on Russian Sanctions, 2023 Russian oil products sanctions and price cap, UrengoyPomaryUzhhorod pipeline explosion, And now I will show you where the attack on Belarus was prepared from, Demolition of monuments to Alexander Pushkin in Ukraine, Foreign leaders that have visited during the invasion, Proposed Russian annexation of Transnistria, Russian military presence in Transnistria, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Legion_of_Territorial_Defence_of_Ukraine&oldid=1142687773, Military units and formations established in 2022, Foreign volunteer units resisting the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Territorial defence battalions of Ukraine, Military units and formations of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Articles containing Ukrainian-language text, CS1 Brazilian Portuguese-language sources (pt-br), Articles with dead external links from February 2023, Articles with permanently dead external links, CS1 Chinese (Taiwan)-language sources (zh-tw), CS1 Norwegian Bokml-language sources (nb), CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with failed verification from May 2022, Articles lacking reliable references from March 2022, All articles that may contain original research, Articles that may contain original research from May 2022, Articles with failed verification from March 2022, Articles lacking reliable references from October 2022, Articles containing traditional Chinese-language text, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Wikipedia articles in need of updating from January 2023, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, Interlanguage link template existing link, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. "[223], On 3 March 2022, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov warned that foreign fighters would be treated as unlawful combatants entitled to no protection under the Geneva Conventions, meaning captured foreign fighters will not be given prisoner of war status and will be prosecuted as mercenaries. Heroes who decided to protect Ukraine. During the interview, the official laid out what the process and requirements are for foreign volunteers to join the newly-formed "International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine." Ukrainian officials are recommending (but not requiring) that volunteers take their own gear like body armor, gloves, load-bearing vests, helmets, and the . Ukrainian authorities have banned men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. [148], It's reported that 600 Czechs have joined the legion as volunteers. [181], On 1 September 2022, Israeli citizen Dmitry Fialka was killed fighting in eastern Ukraine. The Ukraine Army General Staff (AGS) Monday situation estimate made no mention of the AFU assaults to the north of Bakhmut, only acknowledging heavy Russian artillery fire in that sector. It is illegal for Kosovo citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Kosovo law. Brendan Hoffman for CNN Under the Act, such an activity is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years. Foreign involvement in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine That's A Moment for Worry", "No pasarn: anti-fascist slogan takes on new significance in Ukraine crisis", "Ukraine's foreign fighters have little in common with those who signed up to fight in the Spanish Civil War", "From the role of international volunteers to debates about Western intervention, there are many comparisons to be made between Ukraine and the Spanish Civil War", "The International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine was created", "Volunteer fighters arrive in Ukraine. [200], On 7 March 2022, Time reported an estimated 200 Lithuanians have registered to fight with the Ukrainian embassy. Liberators or liabilities? Americans are signing up to fight in Ukraine Nana was reportedly injured in the city of Bakhmu during a tank siege. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba claimed that by 6 March 2022 more than 20,000 volunteers from 52 countries had enlisted to fight for Ukraine; several thousand more reportedly joined after the announcement. Nigeria bars its citizens from enlisting in the International Legion. Any Spaniard who is neither a soldier nor a member of the. [167][168] In that video, the Ukrainian military thanked the 20,000 volunteers from more than 50 countries. A Sri Lankan veteran code-named Dentist and two US Marines code-named Cash and Yato are credited with forming this elite division. [30], A British volunteer said that the contract required to join the International Legion limits pay to 7,000 a month (US$230) and extends for the duration of the war, although some volunteers were allowed to leave after signing. [165], The Ukrainian embassy in Athens, in early March 2022, received dozens of requests from Greek citizens and Ukrainian diaspora asking for information on how they could join the International Legion. An Estonian-based private military contractor (PMC) called Iron Navy that offers security services for government entities and businesses operating in "high-risk areas or conflict zones," posted on Facebook on February 11 about a project in Ukraine to protect civilians endangered by mines and unexploded ordnance. [4] Undated video published by 3rd Assault showed AFU tanks moving to attack and RF-held buildings under heavy autocannon fire from infantry combat vehicles. And security of "sources and methods" is always a concern. It is illegal for Vietnamese citizens to enlist in the International Legion. If such an act is committed by a legal person, it is punishable by a pecuniary punishment. "[9] On 7 March, the Ukrainian Armed Forces released the first image of International Legion soldiers in trenches on the outskirts of Kyiv and announced that new groups were being deployed to the front each day. [278], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed American volunteers.