[33], Kacper Rkawek, a researcher on foreign fighters in Ukraine, stressed the large number of volunteers announced by Ukraine were "people who applied, who got in touch with the Ukrainian Embassy" and not necessarily the number of foreign fighters in Ukraine. Los combatientes extranjeros en Ucrania", "Oklart hur mnga svenskar som kt till Ukraina fr att kriga - Frsvarsmakten: "Kan inte hindra ngon", "Des volontaires suisses dans la lgion internationale en Ukraine", "Foreign ministry discourages Taiwanese from joining Ukrainian foreign legion", "Thai democracy activists sign up to fight 'tyranny' in Ukraine", "American Fighters, Ukraine, and the Neutrality Act: The Law and the Urgent Need for Clarity", "Russia-Ukraine war: Meet the Afghan refugees fighting Moscow's latest invasion", "Ucrania recluta voluntarios argentinos que quieran enfrentarse contra la invasin rusa", "Argentine volunteers enlisting to join International Legion to defend Ukraine: Many are willing to pay for the 8,000-mile journey themselves if it means helping the Ukrainian people", "Scott Morrison advises Australians against travelling to Ukraine to fight Russian invasion: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on "citizens of the world" to join the fight against Russia as their forces battle to counter Moscow's advances", "Australian man who died fighting in Ukraine remembered as 'defender of freedom', " ", " ", "How Belarusian Fighters in Ukraine Evolved Into Prominent Force Against Russian Invasion", "Another Belarusian military unit announces formation for battles for Ukraine, this time regiment", "Understanding Belarus: Is it Putin's accomplice or a victim? [121] There are over 600,000 people of Ukrainian descent living in Brazil. [228][229] The Ukrainian Embassy declined to verify the number of South Korean volunteer soldiers who have departed for Ukraine, citing "security reasons". Step 2. One of the soldiers died heroically on the battlefield. Some have refused", "Ukraine: Foreign fighters 'offered 1,500 a day to fight against Russia', "Legion of the damned: Inside Ukraine's army of misfits, veterans, and war tourists in the fight against Russia", "Zelensky says 16,000 foreigners have volunteered to fight for Ukraine against Russian invasion", "French volunteers rally to Zelenskyy's call to join war in Ukraine", "U.S., Mexico, India Volunteers Among Foreign Force Fighting for Ukraine, Says Military", "Tristan, from Belgium: "I came to join the International Legion of Defense of #Ukraine for freedom in Europe. VALENTYNA ROMANENKO MONDAY, 11 JULY 2022, 16:17. [232][233], On 30 March, Ken Rhee mentioned that he's involved in creating volunteer-based special forces units in cooperation with the Ukrainian military. 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. Apply to the Embassy of Ukraine in your country with the intention to join the International Legion of Defence of Ukraine (ask a Defence attache or Consul. It is illegal for Montenegrin citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Montenegrin law. 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 . ", "Retour du tireur d'lite Wali | " La guerre, c'est une dception terrible ", "50 exmilitares de Colombia se unirn a Legin Internacional de Defensa en Ucrania", "La historia de Luis Lagos, el chileno que se uni a la milicia ucraniana para pelear contra los rusos", "Exmilitares colombianos se preparan para defender a Ucrania de la invasin rusa", "Christian Mrquez, el colombiano que muri en Ucrania, peleando una guerra ajena", "Croatian Volunteer Fighters Head for Ukrainian Frontline". [106], Austrian law stipulates any citizen who enters into the military services of a foreign country has their citizenship revoked. 01. [273] Simon Lingard died of shrapnel wounds after his unit came under attack from Russian forces. [37] 7 min read. [35], The first photo distributed by the Ukrainian armed forces of the International Legion included members from the United Kingdom,[36][failed verification] Mexico, the United States, India, Sweden, and Lithuania. 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. [53], The group has been successful in carrying out several attacks behind enemy lines. [140], On 23 July 2022, the first Colombian casualty was an ex-Colombian police officer named Christian Camilo Mrquez was killed fighting in Izyum. Ukraine has received more than . [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. Ukrainian foreign military unit formed in 2022, Emblem of the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, Government acknowledgment of nationals serving in the International Legion, Summary of official international government responses. "[35], A significant response has been reported in France to Zelenskyy's call for foreign fighters, with online interest estimated in the thousands, and some having already gone to Ukraine as of 3 March. [114] Among those who had made contact with the Ukrainian Embassy were said to be Italian, French, Moroccan, and Luxembourg nationals. Although no law prohibits the Portuguese citizens from fighting for the International Legion, the Portuguese government does not encourage any citizen to do it. Il padre: "Mio figlio eroe di guerra", "Primul japonez ucis in lupta pe frontul din Ucraina. [6], Under the order by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the unit was created to join the defence against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and its formation was announced in a statement by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on 27 February, three days after the invasion began. On the fourth day after Russia's February 24 armed attack and invasion of Ukraine, President Zelensky made a call for foreigners wishing to defend Ukraine to join the International Legion of Territorial Defense (ILTG), inviting individuals to contact foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine in their respective countries (you could sign up here). [279], Jos David Chaparro, a Venezuelan from San Cristbal who settled in Kyiv in the early 90s and served as Venezuela's charg d'affaires in Moscow between 2001 and 2005, enlisted in the Territorial Defense Forces in the second day of the invasion and became the commander of a division of Ukrainian volunteers. Arrive at the Embassy with documents for an interview with the Defense Attach and settlement of visa issues with the Consul. Step 3. Contact the Embassy of Ukraine in your country with the intention to join the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine (reach out to a military attache or consul: contact details are available on the website of our embassies): You can apply in three ways: 1) come to the embassy in person; 2) call the embassy; 3) send an e . Latvia allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [203] On 27 February, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky declared the formation of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine a unit specifically for foreigners who wanted to fight the Russian invasion and invited people to "join the defence of security in Europe and the world.". It is extremely dangerous." He claimed that the Turkish authorities had asked Ukraine not to accept any Turkish citizens into its Foreign Legion. [194], On 11 August, Russian Defense Ministry reports claim that nine Japanese nationals are in the legion while one left Ukraine. [198][199], On 8 March 2022, member of the Saeima Juris Juras[lv] of the New Conservative Party volunteered to fight with fellow Latvians in Ukraine. The lessons from Spain", "Opinion: Foreign Fighters Are Heading to Ukraine. Foreign fighters can be sentenced to up to seven years upon return to India. "[80], By April 2022 dozens of Moldovan citizens were fighting in Ukraine against the Russian occupiers, most of them enlisted in the Ukrainian army in the first few days of the war. [55], On 13 March 2022, the Ukrainian embassy in Buenos Aires posted on its social media to recruit Argentinian citizens who wanted to join the International Legion. Before being deleted, the video featured the national flags of the home countries of the volunteers, including the Black Bauhinia flag of Hong Kong. [221], Dozens of Romanians sent messages to the Ukrainian embassy in Bucharest to be accepted into the International Legion. [249], On 13 May, an ex-Taiwanese marine is reported to have been recruited in the legion and is deployed in Eastern Ukraine. 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. 03. Step 1. Nigeria bars its citizens from enlisting in the International Legion. [264] UK military officials instructed regular and reserve personnel not to travel to Ukraine. Georgia discourages its citizens from enlisting. [61], The 1937 Foreign Enlistment Act, enacted during the Spanish Civil War, prohibits Canadians from joining a foreign volunteer force against Canada's allies. According to the minister, this matter is scheduled to be discussed at this week's government meeting as well. [24][25], Elizabeth Grasmeder of Duke University has compared Ukraine's foreign legion to Finland's efforts to recruit legionnaires and other foreign volunteers during the Winter War (1939-1940). The costs are up to US$1,5 thousand per person, including air tickets and documentation. Ukraine must feel good that so many people came from all over the world to fight with them. The paper also claims that one of the unit's commanders is an alleged former member of a criminal organization from Poland, wanted at home for fraud: the Legion's fighters accuse him of abusing power by ordering soldiers to loot shops, threatening soldiers with a gun, and sexually harassing the legion's female medics. 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. Prospects and Possibilities", "Balkan Fighters Risk Criminal Charges for Joining Ukraine's Defence", "Cetenii RM se pot nscrie n Legiunea Internaional anunat de Zelenski pentru a lupta n Ucraina? Join the brave! [215], On 7 March 2022, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that Nigerian citizens are not allowed to serve as mercenaries or foreign volunteers for Ukraine. Step 1. There have been no reported cases of North Macedonian citizens going to Ukraine to join the International Legion. [57], On 9 March 2022, Euroradio.fm reported that Belarusians in Ukraine had formed the Kastu Kalinoski Battalion with 200 volunteers, named after Kastu Kalinoski. It is illegal for Serbian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Serbian law. Scott Sibley was killed on April 22, 2022, during fighting in Mykolaiv from mortar bombardment[270] while 19-year-old Jordan Gatley was killed in fighting against Russian troops in Severodonetsk alongside Ukrainian troops. "[90], Nevertheless, a spokesman for the International Legion confirmed that there indeed are a number of Serb fighters in the legion and that they are fighting alongside fighters from neighboring countries. It is illegal for Indian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Indian law. If you wish to join them you can contact Ukrainian embassies and tell them you want to fight. Step 1. A building burns after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday . His squad then joined the International Legion. It is not part of Ukraine's official International Legion. It is illegal for Belarusian citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [263] The Times reported that over 150 former paratroopers who served in the War in Afghanistan had joined and were travelling to the front line. Zgin w obronie Ukrainy", " ", "Wsparcie dzieci i rodzin polegych polskich ochotnikw na Ukrainie | zrzutka.pl", "Muri el primer colombiano en el frente de guerra en Ucrania, quin era? [162], On 2 March, Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser and Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann declared the Federal Government would not prevent its own citizens from going to Ukraine to fight in the war. [100], On 18 March 2022, Ukrainian charg d'affaires Oleksandr Lysak spoke to Thai-based reporters in Bangkok and told them that the Ukrainian military has not recruited any Thais to work in the legion. [178][179], Many protesters had connections to Ukraine or other post-Soviet countries, but also a significant contingent of Israelis attended with no connection to the former USSR at all. The foreign legion does now appear to be adapting. Ukrainian soldiers inspect a damaged military vehicle after fighting in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. Prepare your documents and equipment according to the Embassy requirements. The Ukrainian defense ministry said on its Telegram channel on March 30 that commanders of the Freedom of Russia Legion were visiting detained former Russian military personnel "in order to select those who wish to serve. [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. [79], On 7 March 2022, Time reported the Ukrainian embassy in Norway estimated 300 Norwegian nationals had signed up to volunteer at their embassy. February 27, 2022, the president of Ukraine called the foreigners wishing to stand for the defense of the world's security, to join the special unit of the International Legion of territorial defense. [197], Kosovar law bars participation in foreign armed groups. [143][144], The Croatian military envoy to Moscow eljko Akrap was summoned to the Russian Defense Ministry on 2 March 2022 and 3 March 2022 over allegations that 200 Croatian volunteers had joined the Ukrainian army. The instructor (standing center left) is U.S. Army veteran John Roberts from Newport Beach, California, who has been teaching through the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine since May 2022. [209] On September 20, 2022, it was reported that another Dutch volunteer was killed in Kharkiv. Kuleba withheld further demographic details, because several nations forbid their citizens from fighting for foreign governments. [59], As of July 2022, an ex-Sri Lankan commando known as Dentist has been deployed to the field in Kharkiv. 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". [205], In March 2022, the Democratic Front urged the Montenegrin authorities to take action to stop the recruitment of volunteer fighters for the war in Ukraine, after the Ukrainian Embassy in Podgorica posted on Facebook calling for foreign volunteers for the International Legion. At the time of publication of this post, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported that 20,000 foreigners from 52 different countries have already volunteered to fight in the UKR Legion against the Russian invasion. Grasmeder argues states are likely to recruit foreign volunteers when fighting wars of "national survival" against another state attempting to annex their territory. A month into President Vladimir Putin's full-scale assault on Ukraine, fighting groups made up of veterans from abroad are seeing combat. The Embassy of Ukraine in the UK is located in Holland Park in London. [59] The first contingent of seven volunteers left Belgium for Ukraine on 4 March and included two Belgian Turks and a Belgian veteran of the Afghanistan War as well as Eastern European immigrants. Aiden Aslin, John Harding, Dylan Healy, Andrew Hill and Shaun Pinner all returned home to the UK. Ukraine declared martial law, and all adult men, 18-60, have been ordered to stay in the country. [216], In a BBC Focus Africa program, Russian Ministry of Defense officials claimed that 38 Nigerians were killed while under Ukrainian command. [23], Other commentators have criticized this comparison. On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zalensky announced that any foreigners who wished to fight for Ukraine would be welcomed with open arms and . [61], Some casualties have been officially reported. [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. [10], Some foreign volunteers came to Ukraine much earlier, in 2014, to join the fight against the pro-Russian separatists as members of Ukrainian volunteer battalions that have been created after the start of the War in the Donbas. 04 March 2022. [151], On 26 April, a 25 year old was the first Dane to have been confirmed killed in combat. Four more soldiers were wounded. [186][187], On September 20, 2022, Benjamin Giorgio Galli, an Italian volunteer was killed in combat against Russian troops. Moldova discourages its citizens from enlisting into the legion. [149], Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on 27 February 2022, that volunteering was "a choice anyone could make. [254][255] His Japanese friend Dobure (Japanese: ) in lament also died in action on 9 November. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. [93], On 11 March 2022, Ukraine's ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova, announced she is waiting on a legal ruling from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation on whether or not Ukraine may actively recruit South Africans to join the International Legion. [86] A group of at least 30 people in Poland who were willing to join the International Legion have reportedly organized to begin training. 02. [37] The Indian volunteer reportedly shown in the photo is believed to be the 21-year-old student who had joined the Georgian National Legion earlier on. in the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for military service under a contract on a voluntary basis. [3], In early March 2022, a French government adviser confirmed a dozen French nationals were in Ukraine and had likely joined the International Legion.
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