[279], Jos David Chaparro, a Venezuelan from San Cristbal who settled in Kyiv in the early 90s and served as Venezuela's charg d'affaires in Moscow between 2001 and 2005, enlisted in the Territorial Defense Forces in the second day of the invasion and became the commander of a division of Ukrainian volunteers. It is a new effort, a Ukrainian official tells Military Times, to help bolster the fight. "The International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine" was created by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to help strengthen the fight against the Russian invasion. [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. There are no legal barriers to Swedish citizens volunteering in another country's military. 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. [165], 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. [188], 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. Long commitments were the norm during the Spanish Civil War for the International Brigades (See Orwell, Homage to Catalonia). [249], On 13 May, an ex-Taiwanese marine is reported to have been recruited in the legion and is deployed in Eastern Ukraine. 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. International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine. 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. ", "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. [194], On 11 August, Russian Defense Ministry reports claim that nine Japanese nationals are in the legion while one left Ukraine. [112] At least two members of the Belgian Land Component disobeyed orders to enlist with the International Legion. [266] He was detained upon his return to the UK on 21 March. [260] The statement was also criticized by several politicians who said volunteers may be in violation of the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870. However, members of the Swedish Armed Forces who do so risk losing their jobs, as they are deemed to be better needed at home. Andrew Peters, 28, was serving as a member of . [79], Several members of the Kosovar diaspora in Switzerland reportedly contacted the embassy in Bern in early March 2022 to join the International Legion. 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 respective countries. [138] Later in March various Chilean media spread the story of Luis Lagos, a former member of the Chilean national police force(Carabiniers of Chile) who joined the forces of Ukraine. [250], As of 3 July, around 10 Taiwanese nationals were recruited to the legion. "[189], As of 2 March 2022, 70 Japanese men have applied to be volunteers of the volunteer foreign legion. New Zealand discourages its citizens from enlisting. [158][159][160][161], As of July 9, 2022, two French volunteers were killed in action. It is illegal for Vietnamese citizens to enlist in the International Legion. [38][39][bettersourceneeded][original research? [296] As many as 1,000 foreign fighters had been training at the base as part of the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. [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. [127] Brazilian diplomats confirmed the reports on July 5. [155], On August 30, 2022, President Zelensky awarded German Barinov with the Order of Courage, 3rd Class.[156]. [74], However, only one 21-year-old Indian student in Kharkiv is known to have joined the Georgian National Legion in 2022. [61], The 1937 Foreign Enlistment Act, enacted during the Spanish Civil War, prohibits Canadians from joining a foreign volunteer force against Canada's allies. Although no law prohibits the Portuguese citizens from fighting for the International Legion, the Portuguese government does not encourage any citizen to do it. It is illegal for Montenegrin citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Montenegrin law. Under the Act, such an activity is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years. 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. [200], On 7 March 2022, Time reported an estimated 200 Lithuanians have registered to fight with the Ukrainian embassy. [134], Since early March 2022 there have been reports of volunteers trying to join the International Legion in Ukraine. 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. [81], Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren advised Dutch nationals not to travel to Ukraine saying "The country's travel advice is red. It is illegal for Indian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Indian law. [127], A Bulgarian citizen has declared he intends to go to Ukraine to join the International Legion, according to the Telegraph newspaper. A building burns after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday . Israeli law has a provision forbidding citizens from joining a foreign military, with a potential punishment of up to three years in prison. [79], Turkish news reports have confirmed some Turkish citizens and members of the Turkish diaspora had attempted to join the International legion. "[59], On 10 March, the Ukrainian Ambassador in Denmark reported that more than 100 Danes had volunteered. [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. [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]. Here's what to do. The announcement was made on Twitter by his acquaintance. [190] It was reported that an unnamed company in Tokyo assisted the Embassy in recruiting potential candidates. Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, train close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. 25 to 30 supported Ukraine and 25 to 30 supported the Donbas separatists. This regiment is separate from the regular international legion, but recruits from the force. [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. An International Legion spokesperson clarified that position recently. [123][124] Thalita do Valle, a female model and ex-Kurdish Pershmerga volunteer was killed in Kharkiv on June 30 during an attack on a Ukrainian bunker,[125][126] which also resulted in the death of Douglas Brigo when he tried to look for her since she didn't evacuate from the bunker in time. [242] Among these volunteers, three people are of Swiss nationality. The Latest in a Long Line: Ukraine's International Legion and a History of Foreign Fighters. However, the last prosecution for violating the law was in 1896 and the government has not threatened its enforcement since the, The United States discourages its citizens from enlisting in the International Legion. On 1 March, a new batch of volunteers was to fly to Ukraine but the Georgian government canceled their flight. [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. Russia has stated foreign fighters (i.e. Ukrainian soldiers inspect a damaged military vehicle after fighting in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. It is not part of Ukraine's official International Legion. [254][255] His Japanese friend Dobure (Japanese: ) in lament also died in action on 9 November. There is no law in Denmark that prohibits Danish citizens from enlisting the International Legion. Australia discourages its citizens from enlisting and the legality of volunteering under Australian law is unclear. Turkey has refused to comment on its citizens enlisting in the International Legion. A spokesman for Ukraine's ministry of defence said that "we are focused on trained people. Il padre: "Mio figlio eroe di guerra", "Primul japonez ucis in lupta pe frontul din Ucraina. 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. [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]. 02.Sep.2022 9:00 AM . [30], A British volunteer said that the contract required to join the International Legion limits pay to 7,000 a month (US$230) and extends for the duration of the war, although some volunteers were allowed to leave after signing. Yedioth Ahronoth reported that an unidentified Israeli official stated that the Israeli defense establishment was "looking the other way", in part because of the increasingly pro-Ukrainian sentiments and growing suspicion toward Russia, the official himself noting his own solidarity toward Ukraine in the face of "the worst kind of Russian aggression". [221], Dozens of Romanians sent messages to the Ukrainian embassy in Bucharest to be accepted into the International Legion. It is illegal for Belarusian citizens to enlist in the International Legion. According to Article 94 of the Swiss Military Penal Code, such service is prohibited for Swiss without permission of the Federal Council, under penalty of a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of three years. ", "Prontos para morrer: brasileiros gastam at R$ 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?