 | This article needs to be updated. (February 2024) |
| International Legion | |
|---|---|
| Інтернаціональний легіон | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:International_Legion_of_Territorial_Defense_of_Ukraine_emblem.svg) Emblem of the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine | |
| Founded | 27 February 2022 |
| Allegiance |  Ukraine |
| Branch |  Ukrainian Ground Forces[1][2] Main Directorate of Intelligence[2] |
| Type | Infantry and special operations |
| Role | Anti-tank warfare Clandestine operations Cold-weather warfare Counterintelligence Direct action Force protection HUMINT Internal security Irregular warfare Long-range penetration Military intelligence Patrolling Raiding Reconnaissance Special operations Urban warfare |
| Size | 1,500–30,000 (2022–2023)[3][4] |
| Anniversaries | 7 March[5] |
| Engagements | |
| Website | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Unknown |
The International Legion Defence of Ukraine,[note 1] or the Ukrainian Foreign Legion,[9] is a military unit of the Ukrainian Ground Forces composed of foreign volunteers. It was created on 27 February 2022 by the Ukrainian government at the request of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to fight against the Russian invasion of the country.[10] It was originally part of the Territorial Defense Forces, under the name of International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, eventually transitioning to the command of the Ukrainian Ground Forces at some point in its existence.[2][1]
- ^ a b Myroniuk, Anna (5 August 2024). "Investigation: Almost 2 years into first reports of wrongdoing, Ukraine's International Legion appears immune to change". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Kosoy, Daniel (15 August 2024). "How to be a Part of the International Legion of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine". UNITED24 Media. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "'The Romantics Are Gone': A Year Later, Many Foreign Fighters Have Left Ukraine". 23 February 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
volunteers-us-ukraine-lieswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "DIU International Legion celebrates its anniversary, calling on volunteers to join ranks — online.ua". 7 March 2024.
- ^ Solovyeva, Antonina (3 June 2022). "До Сєвєродонецька зайшов "Іноземний легіон" на допомогу ЗСУ, – Гайдай" [To the Severodonetsk Zaishov "Foreign Legion" to assist the ZSU, - Gaidai] (in Ukrainian). Ukrainian News Agency.
- ^ Brown, Chris (2 May 2023). "2 Canadians killed in Ukraine's bloodiest battle in Bakhmut". CBC News. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ "Foreign fighters leave Ukraine due to witnessing atrocities". YouTube. 11 July 2023.
- ^ McCready, Alastair (29 March 2022). "Returning Soldiers Reveal the Dark Side of Life in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion". VICE.
But while commending the "impressive" Ukrainian resistance and everything achieved by the Foreign Legion in a short space of time, Le also described a lack of structure and leadership in its ranks. This is something he says has resulted in unnecessary casualties, and could be remedied by embedding a Ukrainian officer in every unit.
- ^ Grasmeder, Elizabeth M.F. (2022). "Lessons from Finland for Ukraine and its Foreign Legion". War on the Rocks. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).