When Russia invaded Ukraine, hundreds of men from around the world answered the call to take up arms. Some were driven by a hunger for conflict, others by a wish to defend freedom against what they saw as an unjust aggression. For many, it was a mix of motives. Some lost their lives on Ukrainian battlefields. Reports from multiple countries indicate that at least 157 people died in the conflict with Russia.
The largest group consists of foreign fighters. Georgia stands out as a nation with a painful history of invasion, having suffered a brutal Russian assault in 2008. At least 39 Georgians died in combat according to contemporary accounts.
Where do 25 of the dead hail from? Azerbaijan is involved in a long-running dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region where Russia has shown support for Armenia in this conflict.
Even more notable is the presence and death of at least 19 Belarusians, possibly opponents of the regime. The Lukashenko government in Belarus has been a close ally of Moscow. In the early days of the invasion, columns of tanks moved toward Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.
The fourth most represented nationality among fatalities in the International Legion is the United States, with 13 casualties. Following them are individuals from Russia, Colombia, and Poland, each country contributing six deaths. France and the United Kingdom left five citizens on the Ukrainian frontlines.
There is also the case of a 31-year-old Mallorcan Spaniard, Ángel Adrover Martínez, reported by Diario de Mallorca. Adrover had no military background and completed only a brief military training. Initially assigned to telecommunications duties within the Ukrainian Army due to his engineering background, he chose to advance to the front lines in the conflict.
International Legion in Ukraine
An unknown number of foreign fighters continue to participate in the Ukrainian conflict. In March, a Department of Defense estimate placed their total at around 20,000, spanning 52 nationalities. One example is a Valencian named Nandi, who joined the Georgian Legion and described fighting in Ukraine as defending peace in Europe. He frames his service as fulfilling a personal dream of military service and applying lessons learned in Spain’s special forces. His account emphasizes a clear view of aggressor and victim in the conflict.
Other stories show a broad cross-section of volunteers. Mariano García Calatayud, a 74-year-old retiree from Valencia, enlisted at the start of the war and has lived in Kherson since 2014. He recalls Ukraine hosting thousands of refugee children from the Spanish Civil War. García later faced detention in a Crimean prison for nearly a year, with his family seeking mediation for a prisoner exchange. His prior involvement with the Donbass conflict dates back to a previous arrest eight years earlier.
The risks for foreign fighters mirror those faced by Ukrainian soldiers. In some cases, volunteers may be charged with mercenary activities or terrorism and face severe penalties. In June, a court in the Donetsk People’s Republic sentenced to death several captured foreign fighters including British citizens Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin, and Moroccan Braguim Saadun, labeling them mercenaries of the Ukrainian Army.
Zelensky’s “international brigade”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on international volunteers soon after the invasion began. He reportedly rejected offers of foreign protection and insisted on staying to lead the defense. In a formal move, the Ukrainian International Regional Defense Legion was announced as an emblem for international volunteers willing to join the resistance against Russian invaders and defend world security. Zelensky framed the conflict as more than a national issue, describing it as a broader struggle affecting Europe.
The International Legion established a recruitment site to attract more members, Fight For UA. One call to action urged outsiders to join the defense of Ukraine if they opposed the Russian occupation and supported Europe and democracy. The program reportedly offered care for recruits, with visa requirements waived and operations available from March 1, 2022 through the end of Martial Law.
Details for joining included a step by step process. Prospective volunteers were advised to contact the Ukrainian embassy in their country, provide proof of military experience, and list clothing or equipment needs. Individuals who arrive on their own would sign a contract and participate in combat operations.
Various social media posts have highlighted the presence of foreign volunteers. A notable image circulating in 2023 referenced 150 volunteers of the International Legion who paid a high price for their efforts in defense of freedom from multiple regions around the world.
Regulations from 2016 clarified the rights of foreigners who join Ukraine’s Armed Forces. They may do so voluntarily or as contractors for pay. Those volunteers would have the same rights as Ukrainian soldiers if captured. Some may also join the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, a reserve force composed of volunteers who possess prior military experience and intimate knowledge of local areas to defend.
Western allies have shown support for their citizens who wish to participate. British officials have spoken in favor of allowing citizens to join if they choose to do so. Several European nations have faced debate over the legality of participation. Spain has suggested that non-members of the armed forces should not travel to Ukraine, while official statements from Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urge caution about travel to the region.