[232][233], On 30 March, Ken Rhee mentioned that he's involved in creating volunteer-based special forces units in cooperation with the Ukrainian military. Georgians have supported Ukraine since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian conflicts. It is illegal for Montenegrin citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Montenegrin law. [194], On 11 August, Russian Defense Ministry reports claim that nine Japanese nationals are in the legion while one left Ukraine. And security of "sources and methods" is always a concern. Write an application for enlistment. [79], Several members of the Kosovar diaspora in Switzerland reportedly contacted the embassy in Bern in early March 2022 to join the International Legion. 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 Defence of Ukraine. 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". International Legion: how to join - . ", "Plenkovi o hrvatskim dragovoljcima koji idu u Ukrajinu i trebaju li se bojati kaznenog progona: "Idu tamo na osobnu odgovornost", "Iz Hrvatske na ratite u Ukrajini samo na 'osobnu odgovornost', "Czechs fighting in Ukraine without president's permission investigated", "Dva esk dobrovolnky podezv NCOZ z rabovn na Ukrajin, pe iRozhlas", "Syrienkrigere blev straffet - ikke ulovligt at kmpe i Ukraine", "The Riigikogu banned using of symbols supporting acts of aggression by foreign states", "Ukraine recalls ambassador to Georgia over 'immoral position' of Georgian Government", "Nach Aufruf fr internationale Legion: Deutsche drften an Ukraine-Krieg teilnehmen auch fr Russland Politik", "Many Indians volunteer to join Ukraine Legion", "Ukrainian Embassy seeks to recruit Israelis to fight Russian invasion: In now-deleted post, mission calls for volunteers to 'participate in combat actions against the Russian aggressor'; Israeli Foreign Ministry says it's aware of the matter", "Art. Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, train close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. [230] On 28 March, it was reported the deserter evaded being arrested and was on his way to join the legion. Iron Navy has been active in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 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. [91], Some Slovakian citizens have indicated they want to go fight in the International Legion, according to Minister of Defense Jaroslav Na. [11] Other foreign volunteer battalions in the Ukrainian military included the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion and Sheikh Mansur Battalionboth formed by anti-Russian and anti-Ramzan Kadyrov Chechens,[15] and the Tactical group "Belarus" (formed by anti-Lukashenko Belarusians). . It is illegal for Austrian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Austrian law. [177], Ukrainian initiatives to recruit Israelis began on 26 February in tandem with thousands of Israelis protesting against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [246], On 10 April, it was reported that a Taiwanese man named Wang Nan-ying (known as Naive Wang),[247] who lived in Kharkiv for eight years, enlisted in the legion after the war started while helping refugees in Poland. They are commonly referred to as Ukrainian . [134] A famous former Royal 22nd Regiment sniper nicknamed "Wali" from Montreal, called the deadliest sniper in the world after he reportedly eliminated 40 people a day as a sniper in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, also arrived in Ukraine to join the fight against Russia. Nana was reportedly injured in the city of Bakhmu during a tank siege. Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine) - Wikipedia The Latest in a Long Line: Ukraine's International Legion and a History [55], On 13 March 2022, the Ukrainian embassy in Buenos Aires posted on its social media to recruit Argentinian citizens who wanted to join the International Legion. As of November 2022, volunteers from the legion were recruited from 60 countries. During the interview, the official laid out what the process and requirements are for foreign volunteers to join the newly-formed "International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine." Ukrainian officials are recommending (but not requiring) that volunteers take their own gear like body armor, gloves, load-bearing vests, helmets, and the . Step 2. 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 . The new body would be open to "foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and [the] world order" from Russian attacks, said Kuleba. 25 to 30 supported Ukraine and 25 to 30 supported the Donbas separatists. [11] Most foreign fighters arrived throughout the summer of 2014[12] and on 6 October 2014 the Ukrainian parliament voted to allow foreign fighters to join the Ukrainian military. [228][229] The Ukrainian Embassy declined to verify the number of South Korean volunteer soldiers who have departed for Ukraine, citing "security reasons". Regrouping veterans from Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, France, South Africa and Poland. Foreign fighters can be sentenced to up to seven years upon return to India. According to her, there are other compatriots who also intend to fight in the service of Ukraine. However, the Belarusian opposition leader, in exile in Poland. Ukraine Creates Foreign Legion as Volunteers From Abroad - Newsweek [3], In early March 2022, a French government adviser confirmed a dozen French nationals were in Ukraine and had likely joined the International Legion. Thousands of Americans Reportedly Join Ukraine's Fight - Newsweek This development would also assist in embarrassing the Western governments, who in the eyes of many Ukrainians are not doing enough to support Kyiv. TVN a Chilean public service broadcaster made an interview with one of the 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. Four more soldiers were wounded. It is illegal for Macedonian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under North Macedonian law. How can I join the Ukraine foreign legion? | Metro News 03. [197], Kosovar law bars participation in foreign armed groups. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently referred to 16,000 foreigners joining the International Legion in "defense of Ukraine, Europe and the world." Now, according to the AP, there are . Liberators or liabilities? Americans are signing up to fight in Ukraine The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on Sunday the country is establishing an "international" legion for foreign volunteers who want to fight for the nation, according to Reuters . 1. [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. Cambodia discourages its citizens from enlisting. [170], Oz Katerji, a freelance war correspondent based in Kyiv, tweeted on 1 March that "a group of Kurds have joined the Ukrainian foreign legion" to fight against Russia. "[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. 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. Ukraine Sets up 'International Legion' for Foreigners to Fight Russians [53], The group has been successful in carrying out several attacks behind enemy lines. The legality of enlisting in the International Legion is unclear under South African law. [102], 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. Norwegian citizens can legally enlist in the International Legion under Norwegian law. [296] As many as 1,000 foreign fighters had been training at the base as part of the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. [86] A group of at least 30 people in Poland who were willing to join the International Legion have reportedly organized to begin training. On 3 March 2022, the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, DC announced that 3,000 US citizens had signed up to volunteer. 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 . "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. 6 were here. 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". Ukraine invasion: Live updates on Russia's attack 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. Organizations who enlist for foreign armies are illegal, but there are no provisions for citizens who take part. Heroes who decided to protect Ukraine. He claimed that the Turkish authorities had asked Ukraine not to accept any Turkish citizens into its Foreign Legion. [142], Prior to the formation of International Legion, Balkan Insight reported that 2030 Croatians joined the Ukrainian Azov Battalion to fight in the War in the Donbas in 20142015. Some Turkish nationals in Ukraine have been turned away from the International Legion. The National Post reported that at least one South African national was recruited into the Norman Brigade. Moldova discourages its citizens from enlisting into the legion. This is not applicable if the State of Israel has an agreement with the foreign country in question. Kacper Rkawek, 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. "Pewnie si stykniemy, przyjdzie nasz czas", "Navy SEAL Deserter Killed During Intense Ukraine Battle", "American medic Pete Reed killed in Ukraine while evacuating citizens", "American veteran killed in Ukraine wanted to 'make a difference,' father says", "Azerbaijani sniper killed in Ukraine laid to rest in Goranboy-PHOTO-UPDATED", "M2 CHANNEL TV PRESENTER KARIM GULAMOV KILLED IN ACTION", "ran dronlar il hcumda azrbaycanl hlak oldu", " ", "Scott Sibley: Tributes to former British soldier killed in Ukraine - and second Briton missing", "Eighth British national dies in Ukraine war", "Ukraine: Family tribute to Glasgow man who 'died as a hero', "Nie yje polski zawodnik MMA. Despite this he says over 500 New Zealanders have attempted to volunteer to fight in Ukraine against Russia. [131] Due to a high number of Canadian volunteers, a separate Canadian battalion within the Legion, the Canadian Ukrainian Brigade, was established to avoid language barriers and logistics issues. In a statement made by a group of Moldovans fighting on the front in Ukraine, in November 2022, the number is more then 300 Moldovan citizens in the International Legion. Ukrainians are returning to their country, answering the call to come and fight. [59], The first photo of International Legion distributed by Ukraine reportedly showed Lithuanian volunteers. [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".