[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. [220], The Government of Ukraine stated on 4 March 2022 that "some Portuguese" were already fighting in the International Legion of Territorial Defence. Already many veterans are asking how to join the effort and what steps to take. "[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. 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. Territorial Defence soldiers during the Battle of Kyiv, 25 February 2022. [203] Write an application for enlistment in the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for military service under a contract on a voluntary basis. By Howard Altman and Philip Athey. [3], In early March 2022, a French government adviser confirmed a dozen French nationals were in Ukraine and had likely joined the International Legion. Thailand discourages its citizens from enlisting. The fightforua.org website contains detailed step-by-step instructions on how to join the just fight against . [254][255] His Japanese friend Dobure (Japanese: ) in lament also died in action on 9 November. Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 27, 2022 [202], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed Mexican volunteers. [121] There are over 600,000 people of Ukrainian descent living in Brazil. 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. [163], On 28 February 50 Georgian volunteers arrived in Ukraine. It is unclear whether the United States Congress will pass legislation to waive this restriction with respect to the conflict in Ukraine. [241], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed Swedish volunteers.[37]. [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. 6 were here. 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. Earlier, about 70 volunteers were going to Ukraine, of which about 50 were former servicemen of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. [234] In May 2022, Rhee has been deployed in various special forces operations, working with other volunteers with special forces background with the Ukrainian Spetsnaz. [145], The Embassy of Ukraine in Havana attempted to recruit for the International Legion in March 2022. "[9] On 7 March, the Ukrainian Armed Forces released the first image of International Legion soldiers in trenches on the outskirts of Kyiv and announced that new groups were being deployed to the front each day. 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. "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 . On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zalensky announced that any foreigners who wished to fight for Ukraine would be welcomed with open arms and . [86] A group of at least 30 people in Poland who were willing to join the International Legion have reportedly organized to begin training. A spokesman for Ukraine's ministry of defence said that "we are focused on trained people. fightforua.org #StopRussianAggression", "Ralf, from Finland, joined the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine: "There are a lot of people who came to #Ukraine to fight the Russians & defend democracy and freedom" Freedom is a choice. [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. On 7 March 2022, the Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul reported it had received some 100 applications from South Korean volunteers. NATO has been sharing intelligence with the Ukrainian government. Step 3. [185], Giulia Schiff, an ex-Italian Air Force pilot, was reported to be in Kyiv after she enlisted with the legion's special forces unit. Mar 3, 2022. [362], Members of the Legion, according to The Kyiv Independent, repeatedly reported this to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Verkhovna Rada and the Office of the President of Ukraine, but received no proper answer.[362]. "[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. [127] Brazilian diplomats confirmed the reports on July 5. [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]. Norwegian citizens can legally enlist in the International Legion under Norwegian law. 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. He also did not specify how many of the foreign volunteers have arrived in Ukraine. Unofficially part of Ukrainian Foreign Legion. [122], As of July 6, three Brazilian volunteers were killed fighting in Ukraine. of Defence of Ukraine. [181], On 1 September 2022, Israeli citizen Dmitry Fialka was killed fighting in eastern Ukraine. In March 2022, Ministry of the Interior spokesman Harald Srs confirmed that the government intends to prosecute any violators of the law. 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. ", "Russia Vows Prosecution of Foreign Fighters After 16K Join Ukraine", "Senegal calls Ukraine embassy war recruitment post illegal, summons ambassador", "Serbia vows punishment for volunteers going to Ukraine", "Offence for anyone in Singapore to travel to Ukraine to take up arms: MHA", "Niektor Slovci chc s bojova na Ukrajinu, pomoc na fronte je trestn", "Hundreds of South Africans eager to join fight against Russian invasion Ukraine's ambassador to SA", "9 South Koreans currently in Ukraine as volunteer fighters: Report", "Mercenarios o voluntarios? [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. [4] In establishing the force, Ukraine joined more than 90 other nations that have recruited legionnaires and raised foreign legions over the past two centuries.[5]. [219], Polish citizens may join the army of foreign countries only after approval of a written application by the Polish Ministry of National Defense. 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. Heroes who decided to protect Ukraine. It was literally a made-for-television moment. 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 . [13], While these units have officially been integrated into the Ukrainian Armed Forces, some units such as the Georgian Legion still exercise some autonomy. Chaparro's unit has helped donating food, water, commodities and fuel to civilians affected by Russian bombings. 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. [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. These two examples closely parallel the situation in Ukraine. 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". Andr Hack Bahi was killed on June 4 while helping fellow volunteers escape during fighting in the Luhansk region. And absolutely, if people want to support that struggle, I would support them in doing that. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba claimed that by 6 March 2022 more than 20,000 volunteers from 52 countries had enlisted to fight for Ukraine; several thousand more reportedly joined after the announcement. 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? In a tweet, the minister said: 'Foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, I invite you to contract foreign . [18], On 3 March 2022, Zelenskyy announced 16,000 foreign volunteers had attempted to join the International Legion. In Kyiv, the 130th Territorial Defense Battalion is active. Join the brave! However, as of 10 March, only 100 were approved to join. [214] On February 4, 2023, it's reported that Abelen may have been shot and killed in a friendly fire incident. As of November 2022, volunteers from the legion were recruited from 60 countries. "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. Sebastiaan Faber of Oberlin College in the US argued that depicting the Legion as part of a war between fascism and anti-fascism risks playing "into the Kremlin's narrative, which seeks to portray the "special military operation" as an effort to "denazify" its western neighbor." [216], In a BBC Focus Africa program, Russian Ministry of Defense officials claimed that 38 Nigerians were killed while under Ukrainian command. 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. Asta e mna Moscovei", "40 Nederlanders onderweg naar Oekrane om te vechten tegen de Russen: 'Niet iedereen overziet de gevolgen', "Dutch Foreign Legion fighters wounded in Russian missile attack in western Ukraine", "Oekraens leger bevestigt: Nederlandse vrijwilliger overleden", "Another Dutch fighter killed in combat in Ukraine", "Over 500 Kiwis volunteer to fight for Ukraine International Legion against Russia despite a 'do not travel' warning", "New Zealand soldier who joined Ukraine foreign legion confirmed killed", "Corporal Dominic Abelen believed to have worked for special forces foreign military unit", "Kiwi soldier killed in Ukraine: New details emerge as foreign unit's 'luck ran out', "Nigerian volunteer: 'Fighting in Ukraine is better than living here', "Ukraine war: Nigerian and Senegalese soldiers killed, says Russia", Tidligere sametingsrepresentant i Ukraina: Jeg fler at det er vr tid for gi noe tilbake, "Peruano se une como voluntario para defender a Ucrania del ataque ruso: "Estoy dispuesto a dar mi vida", "Polak formuje oddzia do walki w Ukrainie. [175], Brendan Murphy, an Irish businessman fleeing Ukraine stated in an interview published 2 March 2022 that Irish people had already arrived in the country to fight with the International Legion. However, North Macedonian law bars joining foreign armies. Georgians have supported Ukraine since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian conflicts. [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. [152][153], 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 attempting to volunteer with the International Legion.[154]. [265], It was reported that a 19 year old Royal Marine reservist called Nana and another one of his comrades left their homes and are fighting in the Eastern Ukraine Campaign. [268], In September 2022, five British nationals, including two who were sentenced to death, were freed from Russian captivity in a prisoner swap with Ukrainian forces. [89], It was reported that 36 Senegalese nationals attempted to volunteer at the Ukrainian embassy in Dakar. [151], On 26 April, a 25 year old was the first Dane to have been confirmed killed in combat. Join the brave! Mamulashvili also claimed they were waiting on the arrival of about 2030 other Albanian volunteers who have applied to join the war in Ukraine. ", "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". [82], On 4 March 2022, the Ukrainian embassy in the Hague declined to comment on the number of Dutch volunteers. By this date, nine had returned home and two had apparently been killed in action. [135][136] He returned to his home country after two months. 25 to 30 supported Ukraine and 25 to 30 supported the Donbas separatists. 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. Iron Navy has been active in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022 . [108] It is not part of the International Legion in order to preserve greater autonomy. "[19], Many commentators have compared the International Legion to the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War,[20][21][22] which comprised foreign volunteers who supported the Second Spanish Republic against the Nationalist faction led by fascist general Francisco Franco that sought to overthrow the Republic. 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. [273] Simon Lingard died of shrapnel wounds after his unit came under attack from Russian forces. 2. [74], However, only one 21-year-old Indian student in Kharkiv is known to have joined the Georgian National Legion in 2022. The world needs a hero. No doubts.No politics.The battle against Russia is the battle for y. An International Legion spokesperson clarified that position recently. There are so many of those Canadian volunteer soldiers in Ukraine now they have their own brigade, part of an "International Legion" the Ukrainian government says is at least 20,000-strong. Abravitova told the Cape Town Press Club, on 11 March, that anyone who wanted to join Ukraine's fight against Russia was welcome. 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. [197], Kosovar law bars participation in foreign armed groups. The fightforua.org website has been launched in Ukraine, which contains all the necessary information for foreign citizens who are ready to defend the security of Europe and join the International Defense Legion of Ukraine.. 32. The two were married on February 24, 2022 - the day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine - and both joined the Kyiv territorial defense forces to help repel the Russians. The regiment expresses its sincere condolences to the relatives", " ", " ", "American killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces in Ukraine", "2 Americans dead in eastern Ukraine: Officials", "Exclusive: U.S. In reaction to this development, the spokesman of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Igor Konashenkov, warned . A journey through the strange, semiprofessional world of volunteers and foreign fighters who, one year into Russia's invasion, are risking everything to defeat the . However, it is legal for New Zealanders to enlist in the International Legion under New Zealand law. 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. [53], The group has been successful in carrying out several attacks behind enemy lines. The foreign legion does now appear to be adapting. [37] The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the identity and background of a Belgian and Finnish volunteer through video interviews on their Twitter. A building burns after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday . [227] Various news sources claim a well-known South Korean Navy SEAL team is already in Ukraine fighting, which includes YouTube/TV celebrity Ken Rhee. [37], On February 1, 2023, an Uruguayan volunteer codenamed Teddy was reported to be fighting in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. [271] Craig Mackintosh was killed on August 24, 2022 while working as a volunteer medic. He did not mention the home countries of the volunteers, saying that some of the countries forbid their citizens from fighting for other countries. [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. However the Ukrainian embassy in Bangkok did not confirm how many had successfully volunteered for the International Legion. [225], 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. [267], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed volunteers from the United Kingdom. Rspunsul premierului", "Montenegro Urged to Prevent Volunteer Fighters Going to Ukraine", "Nederlanders willen vechten in Oekrane: 'Ik ben fit en sterk, nietsdoen is geen optie', "There is little to stop New Zealanders leaving to fight in Ukraine but few legal protections if they do", "Frivillige melder seg til Ukraina - lovleg for nordmenn krige i ukrainsk uniform", "Foreigners Fighting for Ukraine Elicit Scorn, Ambivalence, Support From Governments", "Czy Polak moe walczy za Ukrain w legionie cudzoziemskim? It is illegal for Macedonian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under North Macedonian law. [74], 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. [208], The first official Dutch casualty of the war perished on May 4, 2022. "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.". [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. It is publicly unknown if there is an agreement with Ukraine, Israel's Foreign Ministry would not comment further. 7 steps. 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. But the untrained should stay home. [128][failed verification], On September 25, 2022, Bulgarian National Assembly candidate Ivan Kalchev has volunteered to participate with the legion in the Ukrainian counteroffensive. However, there is no way to determine the exact number of casualties due to the fog of war. If you wish to join them you can contact Ukrainian embassies and tell them you want to fight. Here's what to do. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Step 1. [139], On 4 March 2022, Colombian newspaper El Espectador reported that at least 50 former Colombian soldiers will join the International Legion in Ukraine. [228][229] The Ukrainian Embassy declined to verify the number of South Korean volunteer soldiers who have departed for Ukraine, citing "security reasons". RUSSIA . 04 March 2022. I had to come & do what I can do best, do what I can do to protect Ukrainian people" Freedom is a choice. [54], Very shortly after the appeal for volunteers several hundreds of Swedish military volunteers enlisted in the International Legion for Ukraine, according to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. [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. [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. [209] On September 20, 2022, it was reported that another Dutch volunteer was killed in Kharkiv. [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. According to a report by Helsingin Sanomat, the Finnish Defence Forces do not recommend or advise Finns to apply to fight for a foreign cause. [82] As of 7 March 2022, it is estimated around 200 Dutchmen have attempted to join the legion at the Ukrainian embassy in The Hague. [191], On 16 March, CNN Turkey reported that three Japanese nationals with military experience were allowed to enter Ukraine. [73] The German Federal Police specified they would not let right-wing extremists travel to Ukraine. "[259] However, then prime minister Boris Johnson's office did not endorse Truss's statement. 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). Write an application for enlistment. Italian law does not forbid enlistment in a foreign army, although there are provisions banning the organisation of said enlistment, as well as mercenaries. 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. "The International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine" was created by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to help strengthen the fight against the Russian invasion. Aiden Aslin, John Harding, Dylan Healy, Andrew Hill and Shaun Pinner all returned home to the UK. The law, however, has only been used against Japanese nationals who were arrested for plans to work under ISIL. [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.