[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. Unofficially part of Ukrainian Foreign Legion. Any Spaniard who is neither a soldier nor a member of the. [237] Rhee mentioned that he's willing to be investigated by the police over his presence in Ukraine and has politely turned down Ukrainian nationality. Share. 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. [238] The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is in the process of adding his name to a no-fly list. 03. And absolutely, if people want to support that struggle, I would support them in doing that. VALENTYNA ROMANENKO MONDAY, 11 JULY 2022, 16:17. France allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [235][236] On May 20, Rhee was reported to be injured in the field, but is expected to make a recovery when he goes back to South Korea. 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. [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. A spokesman for Ukraine's ministry of defence said that "we are focused on trained people. It was literally a made-for-television moment. Step 2. [182][183], Prior to the formation of the International Legion, about 50 to 60 Italian nationals travelled to Ukraine as foreign fighters before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [141], Croatian law penalizes organizing the departure or going to war in another country if it violates the constitutional order of that country, undermines the territorial integrity of the country and if the person is a mercenary. "[59], On 10 March, the Ukrainian Ambassador in Denmark reported that more than 100 Danes had volunteered. Foreign fighters can be sentenced to up to seven years upon return to India. According to the Ukrainian embassy's national coordinator for the International Legion, Gert Snitselaar, 40 volunteers have departed the Netherlands for Ukraine. n 288 "Arruolamenti o armamenti non autorizzati a servizio di uno Stato estero" del Codice Penale", "Foreign Fighters from Asia in Ukraine? Those willing to enlist need to approach a local military recruitment office. 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. [108] It is not part of the International Legion in order to preserve greater autonomy. On 28 February, the president Milo Zeman stated he would be in favor of allowing potential volunteers to join the newly formed Ukrainian legion. Iron Navy has been active in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022 . [271] Craig Mackintosh was killed on August 24, 2022 while working as a volunteer medic. Belgium discourages its citizens from enlisting. [37], On February 1, 2023, an Uruguayan volunteer codenamed Teddy was reported to be fighting in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. [266] He was detained upon his return to the UK on 21 March. [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. [134] A famous former Royal 22nd Regiment sniper nicknamed "Wali" from Montreal, called the deadliest sniper in the world after he reportedly eliminated 40 people a day as a sniper in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, also arrived in Ukraine to join the fight against Russia. This is not applicable if the State of Israel has an agreement with the foreign country in question. F. oreign mercenaries are being offered $2,000 (1,512) a day to fight against Russian troops as part of the new foreign legion, according to reports. 2. 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. He did not mention the home countries of the volunteers, saying that some of the countries forbid their citizens from fighting for other countries. She added that anyone who has gone to fight who commits war crimes will likewise face punishment. Latvia allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. Pakistan discourages its citizens from enlisting in the International Legion. It is illegal for Senegalese citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Senegalese law. 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. "[18] He also said the mobilization of foreign fighters in 2022 is much larger than the mobilization in 2014. [220], The Government of Ukraine stated on 4 March 2022 that "some Portuguese" were already fighting in the International Legion of Territorial Defence. [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. [42][43], Some news reports have reported Mamuka Mamulashvili, commander of the Georgian Legion, is commanding all or part of the International Legion, but no official Ukrainian source has confirmed a commander.[11][44]. [203] However, no indication of the number of casualties has been given. [209] On September 20, 2022, it was reported that another Dutch volunteer was killed in Kharkiv. [242] Among these volunteers, three people are of Swiss nationality. Grasmeder argues states are likely to recruit foreign volunteers when fighting wars of "national survival" against another state attempting to annex their territory. The units and their respective nationalities have been reported as being part of the International Legion: A Special Forces wing, known as the Legionnaires Special Service Group (LSSG), is made of foreign fighters and was initiated by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's intelligence directorate (GUR). "[99] "The government fully understands the sentiment of its nationals who want to stand for righteousness and give their support to Ukraine. "Pewnie si stykniemy, przyjdzie nasz czas", "Navy SEAL Deserter Killed During Intense Ukraine Battle", "American medic Pete Reed killed in Ukraine while evacuating citizens", "American veteran killed in Ukraine wanted to 'make a difference,' father says", "Azerbaijani sniper killed in Ukraine laid to rest in Goranboy-PHOTO-UPDATED", "M2 CHANNEL TV PRESENTER KARIM GULAMOV KILLED IN ACTION", "ran dronlar il hcumda azrbaycanl hlak oldu", " ", "Scott Sibley: Tributes to former British soldier killed in Ukraine - and second Briton missing", "Eighth British national dies in Ukraine war", "Ukraine: Family tribute to Glasgow man who 'died as a hero', "Nie yje polski zawodnik MMA. "The Foreign Ministry's travel bulletin recommends leaving Ukraine immediately. The Defense Ministry said on March 5 that more than 66,000 men had returned from abroad to join the fight. Step 1. Heroes who decided to protect Ukraine. [118], According to De Morgen, 14 Belgians travelled to fight in Ukraine between February and June 2022. [248] He is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian[247] aside from English, Japanese and Mandarin. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address that early on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a new military operation against . Austrian constitutional and administrative lawyer Heinz Mayer argued enforcement of the law could leave Austrians who attempt to join the International Legion or provide humanitarian assistance stateless. [24] Moreover, the Brigades were organised by the Communist International, and thus mostly comprised communists with backgrounds in labour movements, whereas the Ukrainian Legion is composed of volunteers from a broader spectrum of ideologies. And security of "sources and methods" is always a concern. The Ukrainian so-called "foreign territorial defense legion" was replenished with "volunteers" from Japan. Armed civil defense men pose for a photo while patrolling an empty street due to curfew in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 27, 2022 (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Russians fighting for Ukraine) are. TVN a Chilean public service broadcaster made an interview with one of the volunteers. Confirms American Volunteer Killed Fighting in Ukraine", "Dane Partridge, U.S. Volunteer, Killed by Shrapnel While Fighting Russians", "American Who Snuck Out of Dad's House to Fight Putin Is Dead", "American who became a hero of the Russian-Ukrainian war: Paul Kim by the call sign Kilo", "Timothy Griffin of New York state is killed fighting Russians in Ukraine", "US Army veteran killed fighting on Ukraine's southern front", "Charkw: Poegnanie polskiego Kozaka i jego towarzyszy. [181], On 1 September 2022, Israeli citizen Dmitry Fialka was killed fighting in eastern Ukraine. Le sulfureux casting belge de la Lgion ukrainienne", "Russisch ministerie van Defensie: 'Twee Belgische strijders omgekomen in Oekrane', "Guerre en Ukraine: qui est Artem Dymyd, l'un des deux Belges tus Donetsk? 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. [169], Sky News reported at least one Hungarian, Akos Horvath, traveled to Ukraine to join the International Legion in March 2022. [104], On 28 February 2022, when asked about Australians volunteering for Ukraine, the Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison told reporters "I would counsel against that purely for the safety of Australians that they would not travel to Ukraine," and "I would say at this time the legality of such actions are uncertain under Australian law. ", "Guerre en Ukraine: est-ce que des Belges peuvent aller combattre? [89], It was reported that 36 Senegalese nationals attempted to volunteer at the Ukrainian embassy in Dakar. Operations use small groups, who go into and out of enemy territory clandestinely through jungle routes and seek their targets. 02. 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. [137], Some of the soldiers in the Norman Brigade are concerned on whether the Norman Brigade's leader, nom de guerre Hrulf, is incompetent in managing the unit. [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. It is illegal for Belarusian citizens to enlist in the International Legion. When asked whether the law would also be applied to Austrians providing only humanitarian assistance, Srs responded it was "a matter for the courts to decide, not the executive." [195], On 11 November, Tokyo has confirmed that a Japanese volunteer was killed fighting Russian troops,[196] in only days after mourning his Taiwanese comrade's death in the Luhansk front. , International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, people of Ukrainian descent living in Brazil, second-largest population of the Ukrainian diaspora, Chilean national police force(Carabiniers of Chile), protesting against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, primarily of Ukrainian, Russian, or other former USSR roots, Department of International Relations and Cooperation, diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Taiwan, Russian missiles struck Yavoriv military base, Foreign fighters in the Russo-Ukrainian War, "Ukraine says 20,000 volunteers from 52 countries sign up to fight", "Ukraine crisis: 20,000 foreign volunteers in Ukraine to fight Russians, says foreign minister", "Returning Soldiers Reveal the Dark Side of Life in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion", "Lessons from Finland for Ukraine and its Foreign Legion", "Leaning on Legionnaires: Why Modern States Recruit Foreign Soldiers", "Ukraine war: Meet the Georgian Legion joining the fight against Russia's invasion", "Liz Truss backs Brits who want to fight Russia in Ukraine's 'international legion', "Ukraine's Foreign Legion Is Ready for Battle", "Ukraine creates foreign legion as volunteers from abroad join the fight", "Foreign Fighters Are Rushing to Join Ukraine's New International Battalion", "Ukraine's Foreign Legion: 12 important points", "Foreign fighters struggle for legal status in Ukraine", "Georgian volunteers in Ukraine war quit military unit after 'provocations', "First pictures of the Batallion n.a. [267], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed volunteers from the United Kingdom. "[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. [131] Due to a high number of Canadian volunteers, a separate Canadian battalion within the Legion, the Canadian Ukrainian Brigade, was established to avoid language barriers and logistics issues. New Zealand discourages its citizens from enlisting. [216], In a BBC Focus Africa program, Russian Ministry of Defense officials claimed that 38 Nigerians were killed while under Ukrainian command. Oct 6, 2022. It is illegal for South Korean citizens to enlist in the International Legion under South Korean law. [296] As many as 1,000 foreign fighters had been training at the base as part of the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. It is illegal for Kosovo citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Kosovo law. Join the brave! It is illegal for Uzbek citizens to enlist in the International Legion. Regrouping veterans from Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, France, South Africa and Poland. [59], As of 8 April 2022, Sandra Andersen Eira, an ex-politician from the Smi Parliament of Norway, volunteered to work in the legion as a medic. 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 Ukraine in your . [91], Some Slovakian citizens have indicated they want to go fight in the International Legion, according to Minister of Defense Jaroslav Na. [277] By 10 March 2022, the embassy had announced that 6,000 United States citizens had attempted to sign up for the International Legion. But the untrained should stay home. The same court had previously passed death sentences on two British members of regular Ukrainian units, under the same charges. The Representative Office of Poland in Taipei suggested that the Taiwanese volunteers first need to travel to Poland, and enlist with the Ukrainian Embassy in Warsaw, but the Polish Office in Taipei declined to comment when the press tried to verify, neither confirm nor deny that such information is held. [212], On August 25, 2022, Dominic Abelen was reported as the first New Zealand volunteer to be killed in action in the legion, who joined while on leave from the New Zealand military. 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. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. The "International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine" was launched by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been relentless in his efforts to keep his sovereign nation out of Russian President . If the reports are true that he is in Ukraine are true, he is the youngest British fighter and one of the youngest fighters in Ukraine. They left for Ukraine on February 28. [116][117] Concerns were raised about the personal backgrounds and political profile of some of the Belgian volunteers. [103] On 22 March, it was reported that an unknown number of Argentinians have signed up to join. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on Sunday the country is establishing an "international" legion for foreign volunteers who want to fight for the nation, according to Reuters . The Netherlands discourages its citizens from enlisting and it is illegal for active-duty Dutch soldiers to enlist in the International Legion under Dutch law. Join the brave! However, there is no way to determine the exact number of casualties due to the fog of war. It is illegal for Serbian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Serbian law. Noman elebicihan posted", "Who Are the Americans Who Went to Fight in Ukraine? A building burns after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday . The Territorial Defence Forces ( Ukrainian: , romanized : Viiska terytorialnoi oborony) are the military reserve component of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. fightforua.org", "Exclusive: So many Canadian fighters in Ukraine, they have their own battalion, source says", "Twee Belgische militairen zijn naar Oekrane getrokken om mee te vechten tegen Rusland", "Small number of New Zealand personnel fighting in Ukraine - former defence minister", "Kiwis 'could join Ukraine revenge mission', "Dy shqiptar po luftojn n Ukrain, thot komandanti i Legjionit t Vullnetarve t Huaj", "Incompetence or the realities of war? Apply to the Embassy of Ukraine in your country with the intention to join the Foreign Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine (ask a military diplomat or Consul, contact details - on the Embassy website): There are three ways to apply: 1) come to the Embassy physically; 2) phone call; 3) write to email. Some volunteers cited Ukraine's quickness to recognize Croatia's independence in 1991 as a causus belli to join Ukraine. 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. The 1998 Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act was passed to "regulate the rendering of foreign military assistance" by South Africans, but was largely referred to as a "mercenary bill" targeting former apartheid soldiers working as mercenaries. The 2006 Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act amended the bill, but appears to have never been enforced. 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. [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. The Secret Weapons of Ukraine. ], The participation of any Hong Konger in the international legion was first officially documented in a thank-you video posted on Twitter on 18 December 2022 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. To join, one must be between the age of 18 and 60, be fit for service, and not have a criminal record. If you wish to join them you can contact Ukrainian embassies and tell them you want to fight. The parliamentary groups of Estonia's Riigikogu are currently debating whether to allow Estonian citizens to volunteer to fight for Ukraine. [59], The first photo of International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed Lithuanian volunteers. [241], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed Swedish volunteers.[37]. Ukraine's government, willing to take any help it can get against the Russian onslaught, stated that it is formally creating an International Legion of volunteer fighters from other countries . Ukrainian soldiers inspect a damaged military vehicle after fighting in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. [214] On February 4, 2023, it's reported that Abelen may have been shot and killed in a friendly fire incident. A U.S. Army veteran from Wisconsin died on Feb. 16 while fighting on the front lines in Ukraine, the veteran's father told Wisconsin Public Radio. [219], Polish citizens may join the army of foreign countries only after approval of a written application by the Polish Ministry of National Defense. [227], The Republic of Korea Marine Corps reported on 22 March 2022 that a Marine from the 1st Marine Division deserted from his unit and traveled to Ukraine to fight with the Legion. [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. It is illegal for Vietnamese citizens to enlist in the 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. 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. The law, however, has only been used against Japanese nationals who were arrested for plans to work under ISIL. [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. Adverts have seemingly . Vitaliy Mukhin, spokesman for the Government, did not specify the concrete number of Portuguese who are already in Ukrainian territory. "[131] The government had announced that it is up to individual Canadians to decide whether they want to join and that they "respect personal choices",[131][132] though the government "is not facilitating" Canadians who are looking to join the International Legion. A month into President Vladimir Putin's full-scale assault on Ukraine, fighting groups made up of veterans from abroad are seeing combat. In reaction to this development, the spokesman of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Igor Konashenkov, warned . "Przyczymy si do obrony Kijowa", "J h portugueses a combater contra os russos, diz Ucrnia", "Un tnr de 19 ani din Baia Mare vrea s lupte pentru Ucraina: "Am n minte imaginile cu mame i copii fugind. These men and women are so brave and provide a huge service to the Ukranian army with their .