International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine

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International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine
Інтернаціональний легіон територіальної оборони України
International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine emblem.svg
Emblem of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine
Founded27 February 2022; 23 days ago (2022-02-27)
Allegiance Ukraine
Branch Territorial Defense Forces
TypeForeign legion
RoleLight infantry
Militia
SizeMore than 20,000[1][2]
Engagements2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Websitefightforua.org
ukrforeignlegion.com

The International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Інтернаціональний легіон територіальної оборони України, romanized: Internatsionalnyi lehion terytorialnoi oborony Ukrainy) or the Ukrainian Foreign Legion is a foreign legion military unit of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine, created by the Government of Ukraine at the request of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to fight in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[3]

On 6 March 2022 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an announcement that more than 20,000 volunteers from 52 countries have volunteered to fight for Ukraine; several thousands more have been reported to have joined after this announcement.[4] He did not mention the name of the home countries of the volunteers, saying that some of the countries forbid their citizens from fighting for other countries.[1]

History[edit]

International Brigades Comparison[edit]

See also: International Brigades

Many commentators have compared the formation of the International Legion to the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War.[5][6][7] The International Brigades were formed out of foreign volunteers who supported the Second Spanish Republic against the Nationalist faction led by fascist general Francisco Franco that was attempting to overthrow the Republic.[8]

Other commentators have criticized this comparison. Sebastiaan Faber of Oberlin College has 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."[9] Critics have also criticized the comparison by pointing to difference between the International Brigades and the International Legion. While volunteers to Spain tended to lack military experience, volunteers to Ukraine tend to have prior military experience.[9] As well, the Brigades were organised by the Communist International and were composed mostly of communists with backgrounds in labour movements, whereas the Ukrainian Legion is composed of volunteers from a broader spectrum of ideologies, including nationalists and right-wing ideologies.[9][10]

Prior to formation and the Ukrainian volunteer battalions[edit]

See also: Ukrainian volunteer battalions

The formation of the International Legion has been based on the Ukrainian volunteer battalions used after the start of the War in the Donbas in 2014.[11] While these units have officially been integrated into the Ukrainian Armed Forces, some units such as the Georgian Legion still exercise some autonomy within the armed forces.[12] Prior to the formation of the International Legion, the Georgian Legion was used to train English speaking foreign volunteers since the unit spoke English.[11] Kacper Rękawek, a researcher on foreign fighters in Ukraine, believes the majority of Western fighters prior to the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine passed through the Georgian Legion.[11] Other foreign volunteer battalions in the Ukrainian military included the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion and Sheikh Mansur battalion— both formed by anti-Russian and anti-Ramzan Kadyrov Chechens,[13] the Tactical group "Belarus" (formed by anti-Lukashenko Belarusians),[14] and Noman Çelebicihan Battalion, formed by Crimean Tatars which were against the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.[15] The volunteer battalion Azov Battalion, initially formed by nationalist and neo-nazi native Ukrainians recruited several members from foreign nations as well,[16] usually recruiting through foreign neo-nazi and similar extremist organizations.[17]

The Minsk agreements signed in 2015 required the withdrawal of "foreign mercenaries" on both sides of the War in the Donbas, banning foreign volunteers for both the Ukrainian side and Russian separatists.[18]

While Rękawek said that some foreign fighters that traveled to Ukraine in 2014 held extremist political beliefs and supported the Azov Battalion or the Russian separatist forces in Donbas, the foreign fighters travelling to Ukraine in early 2022 "don’t appear to be motivated, as a group, by a certain set of ideological tropes."[19] He also said the mobilization of foreign fighters in 2022 is much larger than the mobilization in 2014.[20]

Formation[edit]

Under the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the unit was created to join the defence of Ukraine 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 2022.[21] Kuleba promoted it on Twitter, inviting individuals to apply and stating that "together we defeated Hitler, and we will defeat Putin too."[22] On 7 March, the Ukrainian Armed Forces released the first image of International Legion soldiers in trenches on the outskirts of Kyiv and announced a new group was being relocated to the frontlines each day.[23]

Rękawek said the formation of the International Legion was "an attempt to internationalize the conflict via mobilization of Western individuals for the Ukrainian cause. This development would also assist in embarrassing the Western governments, who in the eyes of many Ukrainians are not doing enough to support Kyiv."[20]

Potential casualties[edit]

On 13 March, Russian missiles struck Yavoriv military base near the Polish border, killing 35 people and injuring 134 people, according to Ukrainian officials.[24] The Russian Ministry of Defence announced that it had killed "up to 180 foreign mercenaries and destroyed a large consignment of foreign weapons" and said that Russia would continue attacks on foreign fighters in Ukraine; the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said that it had not confirmed any foreigners among the dead.[25] As many as 1,000 foreign fighters had been training at the base as part of the Ukrainian Foreign Legion.[26] According to an interview with a former German volunteer, only identified as Peter, around 800 to 1,000 people were at the base at the time of the Russian attack, of whom more than 260 were killed and around 450 wounded.[27][28] Another interview with a Swedish volunteer, Marcus Fredriksson, claimed the entire base was destroyed.[29]

Training and selection[edit]

Those who want to join the unit are able to do so by contacting the Defense Attaché of the Ukrainian Embassy in their respective country.[30]

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. People were asked not to bring their own weapons to Ukraine.[31] However, most of the volunteers who reached Lviv and applied were accepted.[32]

The First Deputy Interior Minister of Ukraine, Yevhen Yenin, announced in March 2022 that volunteers to the International Legion would be eligible for Ukrainian citizenship, if desired.[33] The necessary probation period is the duration of the war.[34]

A British volunteer claimed that the contract required to join the International Legion limits pay to 7,000 hryvnias a month ($230) and extends for the duration of the war, although some volunteers were allowed to leave after signing.[35]

It has been reported that initial training and selection of volunteers had led to "uneven" performance and that the initial intake had already been dismissed by the Ukrainian authorities, with one anonymous Ukrainian general stating "we should only take experienced combat veterans — that is the lesson that we are learning... the others don’t know what they are getting themselves into – and when they find out, they want to go home".[36]

Strength[edit]

Kacper Rękawek, 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.[19]

On 3 March 2022, Zelenskyy announced 16,000 foreign volunteers had attempted to join the International Legion.[37]

On 7 March 2022, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that more than 20,000 volunteers from 52 countries have volunteered to fight for Ukraine.[1] He did not mention the home countries of the volunteers, saying that some of the countries forbid their citizens from fighting for other countries. He also did not specify how many of the foreign volunteers have arrived in Ukraine.[1]

This information provided by the Ukrainian side cannot be independently verified. It was warned that it could also be a matter of PR measures as part of the information war. There have been statements from the Center for Research on Extremism at the University of Oslo that the number will actually be much smaller than Ukrainian statements suggest.[38]

Government acknowledgment of nationals serving in the International Legion[edit]

In early March 2022, a French government adviser confirmed a dozen French nationals were in Ukraine and had likely joined the International Legion.[39]

The first photo distributed by the Ukrainian armed forces of the International Legion included members from the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, India, Sweden, and Lithuania.[40] The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the identity and background of a Belgian and Finnish volunteer through video interviews on their Twitter.[41][42][better source needed]

On 9 March 2022, the National Post reported that an anonymous representative of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine had confirmed 550 Canadians were currently in the Canadian Ukrainian Brigade fighting in Ukraine.[43]

Belgian Minister of Defence Ludivine Dedonder confirmed on 15 March 2022 that one Belgian soldier had resigned to join the International legion and another Belgian soldier had deserted to enlist in the International Legion.[44]

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.[45] He was detained by State Border Guard Service of Ukraine guards while his background was being processed prior to joining the unit.[45]

Structure and battalions[edit]

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][46]

List of battalions[edit]

For a list of foreign battalions of the War in the Donbass, see Ukrainian volunteer battalions.

The following battalions or units have been reported as being part of the International Legion:

Russian reaction[edit]

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.[50]

However, on 11 March, Moscow announced that 16,000 volunteers from the Middle East were ready to join other pro-Russian foreign fighters fighting alongside the Donbas separatists.[51] A video uploaded online showed armed Central African paramilitaries calling to arms to fight in Ukraine with Russian troops.[52]

On 14 March, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Moscow is seeking to recruit fighters from Al-Qatarji militia.[53] On 20 March, National Defence Forces commander Nabil Abdallah said that NDF forces are ready to go to Ukraine, pending orders from Damascus.[54]

Summary of official international government responses[edit]

Country Official Stance on International Legion Ref
Algeria Algeria discourages its citizens from enlisting. [55]
Australia Australia discourages its citizens from enlisting and the legality of volunteering under Australian law is unclear. [56]
Austria It is illegal for Austrian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Austrian law. [57]
Belarus It is illegal for Belarusian citizens to enlist in the International Legion. However, the Belarusian opposition leader, in exile in Poland, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has endorsed Belarusians enlisting in the International Legion. [58]
Belgium Belgium discourages its citizens from enlisting. However, it is legal for Belgian citizens to enlist under Belgian law. [59][60]
Cambodia Cambodia discourages its citizens from enlisting. [61]
Canada Canada allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. However, Canadian law may technically bar joining a military at war with a "friendly state". [56][62]
Croatia Croatia allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [63]
Czech Republic The Czech Republic allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [64]
Denmark There is no law in Denmark that prohibits Danish citizens from enlisting the International Legion. Danish citizens however, are not allowed to fight in an armed conflict where Denmark is a party, and one fights on the side of the enemy. [65]
Estonia Estonia's parliament is, as of March 2022, debating whether to allow its citizens to enlist in the International Legion [66]
Finland Finland discourages its citizens from enlisting. [67]
France France allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [39]
Georgia Georgia discourages its citizens from enlisting. [68]
Germany Germany allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [69]
India It is illegal for Indian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Indian law. [70]
Indonesia It is illegal for Indonesian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Indonesian law. [71]
Japan Japan discourages its citizens from enlisting and the legality of Japanese citizens enlisting is unclear under Japanese law. [72]
Kosovo It is illegal for Kosovo citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Kosovo law. [73]
Latvia Latvia allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [56]
Moldova Moldova discourages its citizens from enlisting into the legion. [74]
Montenegro It is illegal for Montenegrin citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Montenegrin law. [75]
Netherlands The Netherlands discourages its citizens from enlisting and it is illegal for active Dutch soldiers to enlist in the International Legion under Dutch law. [76]
New Zealand New Zealand discourages its citizens from enlisting. However, it is legal for New Zealanders to enlist in the International Legion under New Zealander law. [77]
Nigeria Nigeria bars its citizens from enlisting in the International Legion. [55]
North Macedonia It is illegal for North Macedonian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under North Macedonian law. [73]
Poland Polish citizens who want to enlist in the International Legion, or any other foreign army, must receive the approval of the Polish Minister of National Defense. [78]
Russia Russia has stated foreign fighters are unlawful combatants entitled to no protection under the Geneva Conventions, captured foreign fighters will not be given prisoner of war status, and captured foreign fighters will be prosecuted as mercenaries. [50]
Senegal It is illegal for Senegalese citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Senegalese law. [79]
Serbia It is illegal for Serbian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Serbian law. [80]
Singapore It is illegal for Singaporean citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Singaporean law. [81]
Slovakia It is illegal for Slovakian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Slovakian law without a permit from the Slovak Republic. [82]
South Africa The legality of enlisting in the International Legion is unclear under South African law. [83]
South Korea It is illegal for South Korean citizens to enlist in the International Legion under South Korean law. [84]
Switzerland It is illegal for Swiss citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Swiss law. [85]
Taiwan Taiwan discourages its citizens from enlisting. [86]
Thailand Thailand discourages its citizens from enlisting. However, it is legal for Thai citizens to enlist under Thai law. [87][72]
Turkey Turkey has refused to comment on its citizens enlisting in the International Legion. [73]
United Kingdom It is illegal for citizens of the United Kingdom to enlist in the International Legion under British law. However, the last prosecution for violating the law was in 1896 and the government has not threatened its enforcement since the Spanish Civil War. [56][62]
United States The United States discourages its citizens from enlisting in the International Legion. American law prohibits "a group organized as a military expedition from departing from the United States to take action as a military force against a nation with whom the United States is at peace", but does not "prevent individuals from leaving the United States to fight for a cause in which they believed." [88]
Vietnam It is illegal for Vietnamese citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [61]

International response[edit]

Albania[edit]

Mamuka Mamulashvili, a commander of foreign volunteers in Ukraine, said in an interview with Euronews Albania on 3 March 2022 that there were currently two Albanians in the International Legion. Mamulashvili also claimed they were waiting on the arrival of about 20–30 other Albanian volunteers who have applied to join the war in Ukraine.[46]

Algeria[edit]

In early March 2022, the Algerian government called on Ukraine to not enlist fighters from their country.[55]

Argentina[edit]

In early March 2022, the Ukrainian embassy in Buenos Aires posted on its social media to recruit Argentinian citizens who wanted to join the International Legion.[89]

Australia[edit]

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.”[90]

Austria[edit]

Austrian law stipulates any citizen who enters into the military services of a foreign country has their citizenship revoked. In March 2022, Ministry of the Interior spokesman Harald Soeroes confirmed that the government intends to prosecute any violators of the law. When asked whether the law would also be applied to Austrians providing only humanitarian assistance, Soeroes responded it was “a matter for the courts to decide, not the executive.” 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.[57]

Belarus[edit]

On 9 March 2022, Euroradio.fm reported that Belarussians in Ukraine had formed the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Battalion, named after Kastuś Kalinoŭski, with 200 volunteers currently in Ukraine and another 300 potential volunteers.[48]

Belgium[edit]

On March 7, 2022, Time reported Belgium was dissuading its veterans from joining the International Legion.[59]

The Ukrainian embassy in Brussels confirmed on 15 March that 18 Belgian residents had left for Ukraine to enlist in the foreign legion, while a further 92 had expressed interest in joining.[91]

Brazil[edit]

As of 6 March, about 500 Brazilians are mobilizing on WhatsApp, Telegram and social networks groups to enlist. The Embassy of Ukraine in Brazil said that "it is not enlisting for the Ukrainian Foreign Legion" or "campaigning to join this military formation". The costs are up to US$1,5 thousand per person, including air tickets and documentation.[92] There are over 600,000 people of Ukrainian descent living in Brazil.[93]

Bulgaria[edit]

A Bulgarian citizen has declared he intends to go to Ukraine to join the International Legion, according to the Telegraph newspaper. The announcement was made on Twitter by his acquaintance. According to her, there are other compatriots who also intend to fight in the service of Ukraine.[94][failed verification]

Cambodia[edit]

In early March 2022, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged Cambodians not to travel to Ukraine and fight with Ukrainians in the legion.[61]

Canada[edit]

The 1937 Foreign Enlistment Act, enacted during the Spanish Civil War, prohibits Canadians from joining a foreign volunteer force against Canada's allies.[95] In March 2022, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand noted that "the legalities of the situation are indeterminate at this time."[96] The government had announced that it is up to individual Canadians to decide whether they want to join and that they "respect personal choices",[97][96] though the government "is not facilitating" Canadians who are looking to join the International Legion.[98]

One of the volunteer groups, the Canadian-Ukrainian Brigade, claimed that it has recruited at least 600 people.[96] Canada is home to the second-largest population of the Ukrainian diaspora after Russia. A famous former Royal 22nd Regiment sniper nicknamed "Wali" from Montreal also arrived in Ukraine to join the fight against Russia; he has been called the deadliest sniper in the world after he reportedly eliminated 40 people a day as a sniper in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.[99][4] Due to a high number of Canadian volunteers, a separate Canadian battalion within the Legion was established to avoid language barriers and logistics issues.[43]

Colombia[edit]

On 4 March 2022, Colombian newspaper El Espectador reported that at least 50 former Colombian soldiers will join the International Legion in Ukraine. El Espectador managed to get in touch with one of the former Colombian soldiers, identified as Camilo Sánchez, who said in the interview he and the group of ex-soldiers had contacted a Ukrainian military official to enlist.[100]

Croatia[edit]

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 you go as a mercenary.[101]

Prior to Formation

Balkan Insight reported that 20–30 Croatians joined the Ukrainian Azov Battalion to fight in the War in the Donbas in 2014–2015.[102]

The Croatian military envoy to Moscow Željko Akrap was summoned to the Russian Defense Ministry on February 2 and 3 over allegations that 200 Croatian volunteers had joined the Ukrainian army. During the second call, the Russian side tried to hand over a protest note to Akrap but he refused to take it.[103]

Post Formation of International Legion

On 27 February, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković commented on news of the possible departure of Croatian volunteers to Ukraine after the announcement of the formation of the International Legion, saying "Every departure to Ukraine is an act of individuals and they take personal responsibility".[63]

On 28 February, it was reported by Dnevnik.hr and Balkan Insight that Croatian fighters were already in Ukraine and more were intending to join them. Some volunteers cited Ukraine's quickness to recognize Croatia's independence in 1991 as a causus belli to join Ukraine.[102][104]

Cuba[edit]

The Embassy of Ukraine in Havana attempted to recruit for the International Legion in March 2022.[105]

Czech Republic[edit]

Citizens of the Czech Republic are allowed to join other countries' armed forces as foreign volunteers if they get an approval by the President of the Czech Republic. On 28 February, the president Miloš Zeman stated he would be in favor of allowing potential volunteers to join the newly formed Ukrainian legion.[106] The Ministry of Defence has already reported its first applicants.[107] On March 3, after a meeting, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and President Milos Zeman announced immunity for all Czech volunteers, who will join Ukrainian defense forces without official approval.[64]

Denmark[edit]

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on 27 February 2022, that volunteering was “a choice anyone could make.”[59]

Ecuador[edit]

The Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Ecuador announced on 8 March 2022, that approximately 850 Ecuadorians had contacted the consulate and the Embassy of Ukraine in Lima attempt to volunteer with the International Legion.[108]

Estonia[edit]

The parliamentary groups of Estonia's Riigikogu are currently debating whether to allow Estonian citizens to volunteer to fight for Ukraine.

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."Based on Estonian laws, nobody can be punished as soon as they go to serve a foreign country," Lauri said. "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."

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. Should anyone go fight on the Russian side, she added, then that is a punishable offense. "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. "And if people come back who received [Estonian] citizenship via naturalization, then they may be stripped of their citizenship." She added that anyone who has gone to fight who commits war crimes will likewise face punishment.

According to the minister, this matter is scheduled to be discussed at this week's government meeting as well.[66]

Finland[edit]

Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs has said that it has no information regarding how many people from Finland have left to join the fight in Ukraine."The Foreign Ministry's travel bulletin recommends leaving Ukraine immediately. The ministry is highly limited in its ability to assist Finns in the war zone," ministry representatives told Yle in an email. According to a report by Helsingin-Sanomat (in Finnish), the Finnish Defence Forces do not recommend or advise Finns to apply to fight for a foreign cause.[67]

France[edit]

Hervé 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." However, under French law, France can order a five-year jail term for "mercenaries" who are "specifically recruited to fight in an armed conflict," are neither "from a state involved in the armed conflict" or a "member of such state’s military," and who are paid to "participate or try to participate in the hostilities."[39]

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.[109] The French Foreign Legion prevents current serving legionnaires from serving in Ukraine.[110][111][112][113]

Germany[edit]

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. These persons also would not face criminal prosecution. This applies to potential missions for both Ukrainians and Russians.[69] The German Federal Police specified they would not let right-wing extremists travel to Ukraine.[114]

Georgia[edit]

On 28 February, 50 Georgian volunteers arrived in Ukraine to help "A group of Georgian volunteers arrived in Ukraine to help the wounded in Ukraine and, if necessary, to take part in hostilities. About 50 people managed to enter Ukraine by crossing the Sarpi customs point. They left for Ukraine on February 28."- Georgian Radio Free reported.[115]

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. Georgians and Ukrainians have a history of sending volunteers to each other's countries during times of conflict or helping each other in political and humanitarian matters during the aforementioned wars. Georgians have supported Ukraine since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian conflicts. 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.

On 1 March, a new batch of volunteers was to fly to Ukraine but the Georgian government canceled their flight. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the Georgian government's "immoral position" and has recalled Ukraine's ambassador to Georgia.[68]

Former Georgian Defense Minister, Irakli Okruashvili with some volunteers also traveled to Ukraine and joined the call to arms to defend Ukraine against Russia. His squad then joined the International Legion.[116]

Greece[edit]

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.[117]

Hungary[edit]

Sky News reported at least one Hungarian, Akos Horvath, traveled to Ukraine to join the International Legion in March 2022.[118]

India[edit]

Official Stance

The Ukrainian Embassy in India tweeted asking Indians to volunteer to fight for Ukraine in early March 2022, but it was later deleted after the Indian Ministry of External Affairs objected.[119] Indian domestic law clearly bars foreign fighters under Chapter VI, Section 121-130 of the Indian Penal Code. Foreign fighters can be sentenced to up to seven years upon return to India.[70]

Foreign Fighters

Over 500 Indians from across the country, including some veterans have submitted applications volunteering to join the International Legion created to fight Russian forces in Ukraine.[70]

However, only one 21-year-old Indian student in Kharkiv is known to have joined the Georgian National Legion in 2022.[120] Later on, the student's family said that the student is willing to leave the Georgian National Legion and return to his home in India.[121]

The first photo of International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed a Indian volunteer.[40] 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.[122]

Iran[edit]

Sky News reported in early March 2022 that at least one Iranian had traveled to Ukraine to join the International Legion.[118]

Iraq[edit]

Oz Katerji, a freelance war correspondent based in Kyiv, tweeted on March 1 that “a group of Iraqi Kurds have joined the Ukrainian foreign legion” to fight against Russia. [123]

Ireland[edit]

Brendan Murphy, an Irish volunteer travelling to Ukraine stated in an interview published 2 March 2022 that Irish people had already arrived in the country to fight with the International Legion. He said: "The first Irish veterans – they have to have military experience – arrived in Ukraine last night, which is good to see because they have the Irish tricolor on their arm".[124]

Israel[edit]

Ukrainian initiatives to recruit Israelis began on 26 February in tandem with thousands of Israelis protesting against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[125][126] 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.[125] The Ukrainian Embassy focused on recruiting Israelis through its Facebook page.[126]

By early March, it was reported that Israelis had been recruited and were heading to Ukraine. Most were veterans of the Israeli Defense Forces, 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.[127]

Italy[edit]

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. 25 to 30 supported Ukraine and 25 to 30 supported the Donbas separatists.[128]

In early March 2022, the Ukraine Consulate in Milan posted on Facebook inviting Italians to join the International Legion, but the post was later deleted. Italian law does not forbid enlistment in a foreign army, although there are provisions banning the organisation of said enlistment, as well as mercenaries.[129]

Japan[edit]

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."[130]

As of 2 March 2022, 70 Japanese men have applied to be volunteers of the volunteer foreign legion. 50 of these men are former members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and two of these men are former members of the French Foreign Legion.[131] It was reported that an unnamed company in Tokyo assisted the Embassy in recruiting potential candidates.[79]

Kosovo[edit]

Kosovar law bars participation in foreign armed groups. Despite this two Kosovar citizens reportedly travelled to join the International Legion in early March 2022.[73]

In Switzerland, 35 people contacted the embassy in Bern in early March 2022 to join the International Legion, including foreign residents, in particular several members of the Kosovar diaspora.[85]

Latvia[edit]

The Saeima of Latvia unanimously approved immunity from prosecution for Latvian volunteers who wish to join combat on the side of the Ukrainian military.[132][133]

On 8 March 2022, member of the Saeima Juris Jurašs [lv] of the New Conservative Party volunteered to fight with fellow Latvians in Ukraine.[134]

Lithuania[edit]

On 7 March 2022, Time reported an estimated 200 Lithuanians have registered to fight with the Ukrainian embassy.[59]

The first photo of International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed Lithuanian volunteers.[40]

Mexico[edit]

In early March 2022, the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine reported Mexican volunteers had joined the International Legion in defense of Kyiv.[135]

The first photo of International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed Mexican volunteers.[40]

Moldova[edit]

The Prime Minister of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilița, was asked during a press conference on 28 February 2022 whether citizens of Moldova can join the International Legion. She responded "We are a neutral country and we will act in the light of neutrality. The Government of the Republic of Moldova is not involved in such actions."[74]

Montenegro[edit]

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. Montenegrin law criminalizes participation in foreign conflicts and those convicted face prison sentences of up to ten years.[75]

Netherlands[edit]

Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren advised Dutch nationals not to travel to Ukraine saying "The country's travel advice is red. It is extremely dangerous." Additionally, Dutch military code bars active Dutch soldiers from joining a foreign army and Dutch law bars civilians from enlisting in an enemy army in a war in which the Netherlands participates. However, it may be legal for Dutch civilians to join the International Legion.[76]

On 4 March 2022, the Ukrainian embassy in the Hague declined to comment on the number of Dutch volunteers.[76] As of 7 March 2022, it is estimated around 200 Dutchmen have attempted to join the legion at the Ukrainian embassy in The Hague. According to the Ukrainian embassy's national coordinator for the International Legion, Gert Snitselaar, 40 volunteers have departed the Netherlands for Ukraine.[136]

New Zealand[edit]

New Zealand officially has a "do not travel" warning issued for Ukraine and the Ukrainian consul in Auckland, Oleksandr Kirichuk, says he cannot assist New Zealanders in travelling to Ukraine. Despite this he says over 500 New Zealanders have attempted to volunteer to fight in Ukraine against Russia. As of 6 March 2022, there is no confirmation of any New Zealanders joining the International Legion.[137]

Nigeria[edit]

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.[55]

North Macedonia[edit]

On 8 March 2022 the Ukrainian Embassy posted an appeal on social media for volunteers to join the International legion. However, North Macedonian law bars joining foreign armies. There have been no reported cases of North Macedonian citizens going to Ukraine to join the International Legion.[73]

Norway[edit]

On 7 March 2022, Time reported the Ukrainian embassy in Norway estimated 300 Norwegian nationals had signed up to volunteer at their embassy.[59]

Peru[edit]

A Peruvian former soldier discharged from the Peruvian army, César Eduardo Pérez Farfán, is reported to have traveled to Ukraine to join the International legion.[138]

Poland[edit]

Polish citizens may join the army of foreign countries only after approval of a written application by the Polish Ministry of National Defense. There are several formal conditions that must be met in order to issue a permit. Among others, one cannot currently be in active military service and joining the army of a foreign country cannot violate the interests of the Republic of Poland.[78] A group of at least 30 people in Poland who were willing to join the International Legion have reportedly organized to begin training.[139]

Portugal[edit]

The Government of Ukraine stated on 4 March 2022 that “some Portuguese” were already fighting in the International Legion of Territorial Defense. Sniper unit former Ranger force COE. Vitaliy Mukhin, spokesman for the Government, did not specify the concrete number of Portuguese who are already in Ukrainian territory.[140]

Romania[edit]

Dozens of Romanians sent messages to the Ukrainian embassy in Bucharest to be accepted into the International Legion created by President Volodymyr Zelensky.[141]

Senegal[edit]

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. The Ukrainian ambassador to Senegal was summoned and asked to take down the post.[79]

It was reported that 36 Senegalese nationals attempted to volunteer at the Ukrainian embassy in Dakar.[142]

Serbia[edit]

Serbian law bars its nationals from participation in foreign conflicts. In March 2022, Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić 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.”[80]

Singapore[edit]

Vivian Balakrishnan, Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs, said during a Parliament session on 22 February that Singaporeans must only fight for Singaporean national security interests and not fight in other places even for noble reasons.[143]

The Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that Singaporeans who are in Ukraine are liable for any criminal offences committed outside Singapore, especially when fighting Russian-backed forces, with offenders liable for imprisonment from 15 years to life.[81]

Slovakia[edit]

Some Slovakian citizens have indicated they want to go fight in the International Legion, according to Minister of Defense Jaroslav Naď. However, it is illegal for Slovakian citizens to join a foreign army without a permit from the Slovakian government.[82]

South Africa[edit]

It is unclear whether volunteering for foreign military service is illegal under South African law. 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.[83]

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. Abravitova told the Cape Town Press Club, on 11 March, that anyone who wanted to join Ukraine's fight against Russia was welcome. She added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s idea was not new since France already had a foreign legion. She also said the embassy in Pretoria had received hundreds of requests to volunteer from people from across the region, including Madagascar, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana.[83]

South Korea[edit]

In March 2022, the South Korean government took an ambiguous stance with both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of National Defense stating they "have nothing in particular to comment" regarding whether South Korean citizens can volunteer to join combat in Ukraine.[144]

There have been warnings about personal repercussions since Ukraine is currently on the no travel list and trespassing without permission onto any Level 4 Travel Prohibition Zone is a violation of the Passport Act which carries a penalty of up to one year imprisonment or a fine of up to ₩10 million (approx. $8,700).[144] The government also reminded people that duty to defend South Korea comes first and any South Korean men under 25 years of age who enlist in the Ukrainian military without first completing national service can be charged for violating Article 70 of the Military Service Act for up to three years, unless they obtain permission from the commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration.[144] Some legal experts also warned that it might set a dangerous precedent of mercenaries joining terrorist groups abroad.[144]

However, other prominent legal experts have provided very different advice to the government, stating that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not a designated terrorist organization therefore it does not set any unwanted precedents, exemptions can apply when it is for "urgent humanitarian assistance" even to conflict zones, and that private citizens joining the International Legion could be allowed so long as it is reported as an "Overseas Job Experience".[144] The government states it would prefer that South Korean citizens do not volunteer, but also strongly hinted it will not actively prohibit citizens trying to join combat in Ukraine.[144] Seoul has said, as of 18 March, that any South Koreans reported to be in Ukraine will have their passports cancelled.[145]

On 7 March 2022, the Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul reported it had received some 100 applications from South Korean volunteers.[146] Various news sources claim a well-known South Korean Navy SEAL team is already in Ukraine fighting.[147][148] The Ukrainian Embassy declined to verify the number of South Korean volunteer soldiers who have departed for Ukraine, citing "security reasons".[146]

Spain[edit]

On 7 March 2022, Time reported Spanish nationals had enlisted at the Ukrainian consulate in Barcelona.[59]

Sweden[edit]

Hundreds of Swedish military volunteers have enlisted in the International Legion for Ukraine, according to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.

Anders Östlund, a Swede who lives in Kyiv, wrote in a tweet that around 400 volunteers have already signed up.; "About 400 Swedes so far have signed up as volunteers in the Ukrainian army. Not bad for a small country just days after the request for military volunteers was made".[149]

The first photo of the International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed Swedish volunteers.[40]

Switzerland[edit]

In early March, 35 people contacted the Ukrainian Embassy in Bern to join this international legion. Among these volunteers, three people are of Swiss nationality.

According to Article 94 of the Swiss Military Penal Code, such service is prohibited for Swiss without the agreement of the Federal Council, under penalty of a fine or deprivation of liberty for a maximum of three years.[85]

Syria[edit]

Russia has reportedly recruited Syrian nationals for the Wagner Group to be deployed in Ukraine.[142]

Some members of groups opposing Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian Civil War have attempted to travel to Ukraine, motivated by Russia's support of the Assad regime.[142]

Taiwan[edit]

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."[86] "The government fully understands the sentiment of its nationals who want to stand for righteousness and give their support to Ukraine. However, on the standpoint of protecting the safety of its people and the risk of war, the government advises its nationals to avoid going there." and reiterated "in order to urge Russia to stop its military aggression against Ukraine, Taiwan will participate in the economic sanctions imposed on Russia along with the international community."[86][150]

Due to no formal diplomatic relation between Ukraine and Taiwan, no diplomatic missions were established in either side. 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.[150]

Thailand[edit]

The Thai government stated that there is no law that bans Thai citizens from volunteering to fight in foreign legions, but they should "consider the potential grave danger as Russian forces pound Ukrainian cities with heavy weapons."[87]

Over 2,000 pro-democracy activists in Thailand have attempted to sign up to join the International Legion. However the Ukrainian embassy in Bangkok did not confirm how many had successfully volunteered for the International Legion.[87]

Turkey[edit]

Turkey does not have a law that bars foreign fighters, but frequently prosecutes them upon return to Turkey for violating criminal or anti-terror laws. The Turkish authorities have not commented on Turkish citizens joining the war in Ukraine.[73]

Turkish news reports have confirmed some Turkish citizens and members of the Turkish diaspora had attempted to join the International legion. One group reportedly wore distinctive uniforms with the Turkish flag and symbols of the Grey Wolves, an ultranationalist Turkish group. Other Turkish nationals have been turned away from the International Legion.[73]

United Kingdom[edit]

The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Liz Truss said "the people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and democracy, not just for Ukraine but also for the whole of Europe because that is what President Vladimir Putin is challenging. And absolutely, if people want to support that struggle, I would support them in doing that."[151] However, Boris Johnson's office did not endorse Truss's statement.[152] The statement was also criticized by several politicians who said volunteers may be in violation of the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870.[153] It has been reported those who travel to the 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.[154]

Ukrainian sources said 6,000 Britons had registered an interest in joining.[155] The Times reported that over 150 former paratroopers who served in the War in Afghanistan had joined and were travelling to the front line.[156] UK military officials instructed regular and reserve personnel not to travel to Ukraine.[157]

The first photo of International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed volunteers from the United Kingdom.[40]

United States[edit]

The United States Department of State issued a travel advisory formally advised all Americans not to travel to Ukraine.[158] The Neutrality Act of 1794, a federal law whose provisions remains in effect as of March 2022, prohibits US citizens from taking up arms against any country at peace with the United States. It is unclear whether the United States Congress will pass legislation to waive this restriction with respect to the conflict in Ukraine.

On 3 March 2022, the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, DC announced 3,000 US citizens had signed up to volunteer.[159] By 10 March 2022, the embassy had announced 6,000 US citizens had attempted to sign up for the International Legion. However, as of 10 March, only 100 were approved to join.[160]

The first photo of International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed American volunteers.[40]

Venezuela[edit]

In the Ukrainian capital, a Venezuelan man and his wife joined the International Legion to fight for the country after the Russian invasion.[161]

Vietnam[edit]

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.[61]

Notable individuals who enlisted[edit]

See also[edit]

Historical[edit]

References[edit]

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External links[edit]

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