When Russia invaded Ukraine, hundreds of men from all over the world responded to the call to take up arms. Some were driven by war hunger, others ideals of defending freedom in the face of unjust attack. Perhaps a combination of all of the above for most. Many left their lives on the Ukrainian battlefields. There are references in the press from various countries that at least 157 people died in the conflict with Russia.
The largest group consists of foreign fighters. GeorgiaIt is a country of great concern as it suffered a bloody Russian invasion in the summer of 2008. At least 39 Georgians They died in combat.
Where do 25 of the dead come from? AzerbaijanIt is in open conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Russia supports Armenia in this conflict.
Even more surprising is the presence and death in the conflict of at least 19 Belarusians, possibly opponents of Russia. The dictatorship of Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Vladimir Putin. From Belarus At the beginning of the conflict, columns of tanks broke up trying to take the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
The fourth most dead national of the International Legion United States of Americap, with 13 casualties. Then come yourself Russia, Colombia and Polonia, six people from each country were killed in the conflict. France and the United Kingdom left their five citizens on the Ukrainian battlefield.
There is also the 31-year-old Mallorcan Spaniard Ángel Adrover Martínez, according to Diario de Mallorca of the Prensa Ibérica group. Adrover had no military experience and He had taken a short military training course. At first the Ukrainian Army assigned him to telecommunication duties, as he was an engineer. But he wanted to go to the front lines of the war.
International Legion in Ukraine
An unknown number of foreign fighters are currently fighting in Ukraine. In March, the Department of Defense estimated that they numbered around 20,000 from 52 nationalities. One of them Nandi, Valencian to Ukraine Fighting “for peace in Europe”, according to Marc Marginedas. Integrated into the Georgian Legion, this former Special Forces member equates his duty in the Slavic country with “almost defending Spain.” He says he has fulfilled his “dream of life”, which is summed up by practicing his military service and putting into practice everything he’s learned during his time in the Spanish Special Forces some time ago. it is clear and, according to them, it is well defined who is the aggressor and who is the victim.
like the others Mariano García Calatayud, a 74-year-old pensioner from ValenciaHe was enlisted at the beginning of the war. He has lived in Kherson since 2014, remembering that Ukraine is home to thousands of refugee children from the Spanish Civil War, ABC reports. García has now been held in a Crimean prison for nearly a year, and his family is seeking the mediation of the Executive to include him in a prisoner exchange. Already eight years ago, during the conflict in Donbass, he was arrested.
The risks for foreign fighters in Ukraine are the same as for Ukrainian soldiers. Sometimes even older. For example, when caught may be accused of the actions of mercenaries and terror and executed. In June, the separatist Supreme Court of the Donetsk People’s Republic British prisoners Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin and Moroccan Braguim Saadun sentenced to deathThe so-called mercenaries of the Ukrainian Army.
Zelensky’s “international brigade”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called in international volunteers shortly after the invasion began, and he himself rejected offers to be taken out of the country and protected by the Allies. on February 27, Ukrainian International Regional Defense Legion, According to a statement from the presidency, its emblem is intended for international volunteers who want to join the “resistance against the Russian invaders to protect the security of the world”. “This is not just the invasion of Ukraine. “It is the beginning of a war against Europe,” said Zelensky.
The International Legion has a website to recruit more members, Fight For UA. “Join the International Legion for the defense of Ukraine!”reads one of the calls to action. “Even if your nationality is not Ukrainian, if you are against the Russian occupation; If you want to actively participate in the defense of Europe and democracy; if you have combat experience… it’s time to act”. It is reported that care is provided, no visa is required and the offer is in effect from 1 March 2022 until the end of Martial Law.
Step-by-step details are provided for joining. The first thing is to submit the application to the Ukrainian embassy of each country (“ask for a consul or Defense adviser”). Documents proving military experience must be submitted.. Next, you need to specify clothing or equipment requirements (“bring your own equipment is preferred, from helmet to bulletproof vest”). When you come to Ukraine on your own, you have to sign a contract and fight.
According to the regulation adopted in 2016, foreigners have the right to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine voluntarily or as a subcontractor for a salary. They are not foreign fighters because they signed contracts and joined regular forces, and d.If caught, they should have the same rights as Ukrainians. by the enemy. They can also join the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, a type of Army made up of volunteers who have previously enlisted in the Armed Forces and, even if retired, know well the areas they need to defend.
Ukraine’s allies don’t seem to have put too many obstacles in the way of their citizens going to war. Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss has given open support for her citizens to go to war if they want to. go war Legal in Germany, France, Latvia or New Zealand. In Spain, also in principle, if you are not a member of the Armed Forces. However, the message on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the opposite. “Not recommended [sic] travel to Ukraine under any circumstances. ”