. Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, train close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. 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. A Sri Lankan veteran code-named Dentist and two US Marines code-named Cash and Yato are credited with forming this elite division. "[259] However, then prime minister Boris Johnson's office did not endorse Truss's statement. Latvia allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. On February 27, 2022, just two days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for "friends of Ukraine, freedom and democracy" to volunteer for the Ukrainian Territorial . [204] Ukraine must feel good that so many people came from all over the world to fight with them. Receive . [27] Most of the volunteers who reached Lviv and applied were accepted. On 1 March, a new batch of volunteers was to fly to Ukraine but the Georgian government canceled their flight. It is illegal for citizens of the United Kingdom to enlist in the International Legion under British law. Pursuant to the new laws, joining the armed forces of a foreign state committing an act of aggression or any other armed unit participating in an act of aggression committed by a foreign state, participation in the commission of or preparing an act of aggression by a foreign state as well as knowingly and directly, including financially supporting an act of aggression by a foreign state is punishable as a criminal offence. [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. In Kyiv, the 130th Territorial Defense Battalion is active. The International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine,[note 1] or the Ukrainian Foreign Legion,[3] is a foreign military unit of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine. [131] A second formation of Canadian and British volunteers was formed under the name Norman Brigade. [262], Ukrainian sources said 6,000 Britons had registered an interest in joining. [257], 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. "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 . [273] Simon Lingard died of shrapnel wounds after his unit came under attack from Russian forces. Nana was reportedly injured in the city of Bakhmu during a tank siege. [173], The first photo of International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed an Indian volunteer. According to her, there are other compatriots who also intend to fight in the service of Ukraine. A spokesman for Ukraine's ministry of defence said that "we are focused on trained people. It is unclear whether the United States Congress will pass legislation to waive this restriction with respect to the conflict in Ukraine. It is a new effort, a Ukrainian official tells Military Times, to help bolster the fight. 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. [64], 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. 02. [37], The Prime Minister of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilia, was asked during a press conference on 28 February 2022 whether citizens of Moldova can join the International Legion. 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. [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. Some Turkish nationals in Ukraine have been turned away from the International Legion. [143], On 27 February 2022, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovi 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". Mostly Chechen, many of whom fought in the, The battalion was created in honor of one of the leaders of the. She responded "We are a neutral country and we will act in the light of neutrality. 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. By this date, nine had returned home and two had apparently been killed in action. [6], Under the order by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the unit was created to join the defence against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and its formation was announced in a statement by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on 27 February, three days after the invasion began. 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". [155], On August 30, 2022, President Zelensky awarded German Barinov with the Order of Courage, 3rd Class.[156]. However, it is legal for Belgian citizens to enlist under Belgian law. [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]. The Territorial Defence Forces ( Ukrainian: , romanized : Viiska terytorialnoi oborony) are the military reserve component of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is illegal for Austrian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Austrian law. It is not part of Ukraine's official International Legion. 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 . Israeli law has a provision forbidding citizens from joining a foreign military, with a potential punishment of up to three years in prison. "A group of Georgian volunteers arrived in Ukraine to help the wounded in Ukraine and, if necessary, to take part in hostilities. The Embassy of Ukraine in Brazil said that "it is not enlisting for the Ukrainian Foreign Legion" or "campaigning to join this military formation". Earlier, about 70 volunteers were going to Ukraine, of which about 50 were former servicemen of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. However, it is legal for New Zealanders to enlist in the International Legion under New Zealand law. [297], According to an interview with a former German volunteer, around 800 to 1,000 people were at the base at the time of the Russian attack, of whom 100 were presumed dead. symbol. The Turkish authorities have not commented on Turkish citizens joining the war in Ukraine. "[59], On 10 March, the Ukrainian Ambassador in Denmark reported that more than 100 Danes had volunteered. Together we defeated Hitler, and we will defeat Putin, too. As of November 2022, volunteers from the legion were recruited from 60 countries. In March 2022, Serbian president Aleksandar Vui said "As for volunteers, since both sides have called for volunteers, the Serbian criminal code and we will amend it to be stricter outlaws participation in any conflicts that do not defend Serbia's territorial integrity," and "Any of those who think they should take part in some war, we will punish severely in accordance with our constitution and our laws. He also did not specify how many of the foreign volunteers have arrived in Ukraine. [177], Ukrainian initiatives to recruit Israelis began on 26 February in tandem with thousands of Israelis protesting against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, or the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, is a foreign military unit of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine.It was created on 27 February 2022 by the Ukrainian government at the request of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to fight against the Russian invasion of the country.In establishing the force, Ukraine joined more than 90 other . The new body would be open to "foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and [the] world order" from Russian attacks, said Kuleba. [298][299], According to The Kyiv Independent, which has received informations from sources inside the Legion, the leadership of the intelligence-run wing of the International Legion is allegedly implicated in various violations, including abuse, theft, and sending soldiers unprepared on reckless missions. "And if people come back who received [Estonian] citizenship via naturalization, then they may be stripped of their citizenship.". However, North Macedonian law bars joining foreign armies. Under the Act, such an activity is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years. 'Ukraine will pay its soldiers 100 thousand hryvnias per month, - the Cabinet . [31][32], 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". In Ukrainian publics, a video is distributed, on His squad then joined the International Legion. Hundreds of American, [] They will join Zelensky's new International Legion of the Territorial Defense of Ukraine They are joined by three Brits and a German troop, and are all NATO-trained Separately, 60 British . This week Ukraine appealed for foreign fighters to come join their efforts to stop Russia's invasion. [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. [118], According to De Morgen, 14 Belgians travelled to fight in Ukraine between February and June 2022. Here's what to do. New Zealand discourages its citizens from enlisting. They left for Ukraine on February 28. [81], Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren advised Dutch nationals not to travel to Ukraine saying "The country's travel advice is red. Los combatientes extranjeros en Ucrania", "Oklart hur mnga svenskar som kt till Ukraina fr att kriga - Frsvarsmakten: "Kan inte hindra ngon", "Des volontaires suisses dans la lgion internationale en Ukraine", "Foreign ministry discourages Taiwanese from joining Ukrainian foreign legion", "Thai democracy activists sign up to fight 'tyranny' in Ukraine", "American Fighters, Ukraine, and the Neutrality Act: The Law and the Urgent Need for Clarity", "Russia-Ukraine war: Meet the Afghan refugees fighting Moscow's latest invasion", "Ucrania recluta voluntarios argentinos que quieran enfrentarse contra la invasin rusa", "Argentine volunteers enlisting to join International Legion to defend Ukraine: Many are willing to pay for the 8,000-mile journey themselves if it means helping the Ukrainian people", "Scott Morrison advises Australians against travelling to Ukraine to fight Russian invasion: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on "citizens of the world" to join the fight against Russia as their forces battle to counter Moscow's advances", "Australian man who died fighting in Ukraine remembered as 'defender of freedom', " ", " ", "How Belarusian Fighters in Ukraine Evolved Into Prominent Force Against Russian Invasion", "Another Belarusian military unit announces formation for battles for Ukraine, this time regiment", "Understanding Belarus: Is it Putin's accomplice or a victim? [217], Serbian law bars its nationals from participation in foreign conflicts. "[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. One of the soldiers died heroically on the battlefield. [108] It is not part of the International Legion in order to preserve greater autonomy. [226], The Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that Singaporeans who are in Ukraine are potentially liable for any criminal offences committed outside Singapore, especially when fighting Russian-backed forces, with offenders liable for imprisonment from 15 years to life with fines included. [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. The fightforua.org website contains detailed step-by-step instructions on how to join the just fight against . Turkey has refused to comment on its citizens enlisting in the International Legion. [205], In March 2022, the Democratic Front urged the Montenegrin authorities to take action to stop the recruitment of volunteer fighters for the war in Ukraine, after the Ukrainian Embassy in Podgorica posted on Facebook calling for foreign volunteers for the International Legion. 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. However, attempting to recruit a German citizen into foreign military service is illegal. There have been no reported cases of North Macedonian citizens going to Ukraine to join the International Legion. 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. [146], 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. Prospects and Possibilities", "Balkan Fighters Risk Criminal Charges for Joining Ukraine's Defence", "Cetenii RM se pot nscrie n Legiunea Internaional anunat de Zelenski pentru a lupta n Ucraina? Zelenskyy hopes to draw volunteers who will "defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine," Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The government of the Republic of China discourages its citizens from enlisting. [40] 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. Step 1. Your Army. [34], 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. 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 . "We don't need any more people without military experience. [61] Despite this, an unknown number of Vietnamese military veterans have expressed their desire to help the Ukrainians. [180], On 25 March, it was reported by the Israeli national newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that a group of former IDF soldiers were training Ukrainian civilians; the ex-commando in charge stated to journalists that the program originated as a rescue mission for Ukraine's Jewish population but changed as the Ukrainian Jews required armed escorts and then military training. The costs are up to US$1,5 thousand per person, including air tickets and documentation. "[99][243], Due to the lack of formal diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Taiwan, no diplomatic missions were established in either side. [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. The foreign legion does now appear to be adapting. [82], On 4 March 2022, the Ukrainian embassy in the Hague declined to comment on the number of Dutch volunteers. 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. Share. He did not mention the home countries of the volunteers, saying that some of the countries forbid their citizens from fighting for other countries. . The Ukrainian so-called "foreign territorial defense legion" was replenished with "volunteers" from Japan. "[189], As of 2 March 2022, 70 Japanese men have applied to be volunteers of the volunteer foreign legion. The gratitude video prompted strong criticism from the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. Georgians have supported Ukraine since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian conflicts. Il padre: "Mio figlio eroe di guerra", "Primul japonez ucis in lupta pe frontul din Ucraina. Oct 6, 2022. [115], It was subsequently reported that two Belgians had been immediately despatched to the front-line while the remainder had been concentrated at Yavoriv military base at the time of its bombing on 13 March. [89], It was reported that 36 Senegalese nationals attempted to volunteer at the Ukrainian embassy in Dakar. [267], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed volunteers from the United Kingdom. [14] Prior to the formation of the International Legion, the Georgian Legion was used to train English-speaking foreign volunteers. Before being deleted, the video featured the national flags of the home countries of the volunteers, including the Black Bauhinia flag of Hong Kong. In many ways, Ukraine's International Legion harkens back to the International Brigades, the storied volunteer formations fighting for the Republican Government during the Spanish Civil War in . Ukrainian authorities have banned men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The Czech Republic allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion after receiving permission from the Czech president. [202], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed Mexican volunteers. El Espectador managed to get in touch with one of the former Colombian soldiers, identified as Camilo Snchez, who said in the interview he and the group of ex-soldiers had contacted a Ukrainian military official to enlist. [209] On September 20, 2022, it was reported that another Dutch volunteer was killed in Kharkiv. Step 3. Statement from the International Legion regarding media enquires and interview requests. "[223], On 3 March 2022, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov warned that foreign fighters would be treated as unlawful combatants entitled to no protection under the Geneva Conventions, meaning captured foreign fighters will not be given prisoner of war status and will be prosecuted as mercenaries. [274] Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw were killed whilst attempting an humanitarian evacuation of civilians in eastern Ukraine.[275]. Join the brave! ", "Prontos para morrer: brasileiros gastam at R$ 7 mil para ir Ucrnia", "Itamaraty confirma morte de brasileiro que foi para a guerra na Ucrnia", "Itamaraty confirms the death of a Brazilian in the Ukrainian War - News Bulletin 247", "Brazilian model turned sniper killed in Ukraine missile strike", "Brasileiros que lutavam como voluntrios morrem durante conflito na Ucrnia", "Bulgarian Parliamentary Candidate Too Busy to Campaign as He Fights in Ukraine", "Under a foreign flag: Canadian veterans explain why they're fighting for Ukraine", "Canadians answer the call to defend Ukraine", "Up to Canadians whether they fight for Ukraine foreign legion, Foreign Minister says", "Canada announces trade action against Russia, more lethal aid and new immigration streams for Ukrainians", "The new legion of foreign fighters: who are they and where do they come from? There are several formal conditions that must be met in order to issue a permit. [219], Polish citizens may join the army of foreign countries only after approval of a written application by the Polish Ministry of National Defense. [170], 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. 1:10 p.m. EST 12:40 p.m. EST. This applies to potential missions for both Ukrainians and Russians. Together we defeated Hitler, and we will defeat Putin, too. 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. [149], Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on 27 February 2022, that volunteering was "a choice anyone could make. Japan discourages its citizens from enlisting and the legality of Japanese citizens enlisting is unclear under Japanese law. [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. This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 21:11. "[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. On 28 February, the president Milo Zeman stated he would be in favor of allowing potential volunteers to join the newly formed Ukrainian legion. Already many veterans are asking how to join the effort and what steps to take. Regrouping veterans from Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, France, South Africa and Poland. However, the Belarusian opposition leader, in exile in Poland. She added that anyone who has gone to fight who commits war crimes will likewise face punishment. [241], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed Swedish volunteers.[37]. [186][187], On September 20, 2022, Benjamin Giorgio Galli, an Italian volunteer was killed in combat against Russian troops. Belgium discourages its citizens from enlisting. [210], 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. Interview with a Defense Attach of the Embassy of Ukraine to review your application to volunteer for military service. If you wish to join them you can contact Ukrainian embassies and tell them you want to fight. This development would also assist in embarrassing the Western governments, who in the eyes of many Ukrainians are not doing enough to support Kyiv. Georgia discourages its citizens from enlisting. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address that early on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a new military operation against . "[90], Nevertheless, a spokesman for the International Legion confirmed that there indeed are a number of Serb fighters in the legion and that they are fighting alongside fighters from neighboring countries. 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 . [26], The criteria listed for joining included having prior military or medical experience and submitting documents as proof of military service to the Ministry of Defense official at the Ukrainian embassy. [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. 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. "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. [37], In late February 2022, The Star reported that two Malaysians joined the Territorial Defense Army in Kyiv. On 27 February, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky declared the formation of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine a unit specifically for foreigners who wanted to fight the Russian invasion and invited people to "join the defence of security in Europe and the world.". [91], Some Slovakian citizens have indicated they want to go fight in the International Legion, according to Minister of Defense Jaroslav Na. [38][39][bettersourceneeded][original research? [127] Brazilian diplomats confirmed the reports on July 5. [166][unreliable source? [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. Cambodia discourages its citizens from enlisting. These two examples closely parallel the situation in Ukraine. n 288 "Arruolamenti o armamenti non autorizzati a servizio di uno Stato estero" del Codice Penale", "Foreign Fighters from Asia in Ukraine? [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. It was subsequently reported on 23 March that "more than half" of the 18 had returned to Belgium, either to convalesce after the Yavoriv bombing or as a result of dissatisfaction with their conditions of service. The law, however, has only been used against Japanese nationals who were arrested for plans to work under ISIL. Contact the Ukrainian embassy in your country, and ask to join the Ukraine International Legion. It is illegal for Uzbek citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [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 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. 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.