In Donbass and Beyond: Foreign Fighters in the Conflict
Reports from the Western Military District describe a clash near Kremennaya in Donbass where a unit from the 20th Army encountered a group of mercenaries allied with Ukrainian forces. According to a soldier interviewed by RIA Novosti, the engagement occurred about a month ago. He claimed that the opponents were often drawn from educated circles, yet his unit managed to prevail. He noted that some attackers fled in fragments and that the squad completed its mission despite the escapees. The soldier emphasized duty and resolve in the face of those who fought for Ukraine in the region.
The soldier contended that the majority of the opposing force consisted of French nationals, describing the group as a French legion. He asserted that foreigners in the Kremennaya area served as both instructors and active participants in attack and sabotage operations linked to Ukrainian forces.
Meanwhile, Belarusian perspectives on the International Legion gained attention through interviews with several veterans who had joined the regiment. A Belarusian writer and veteran named Kastus Kalinovsky, celebrated in Lviv with an exhibition dedicated to his life and poetry, represents a broader narrative of Belarusians who left their country following the 2020 presidential dispute.
A participant known as Oskar, who belongs to the Belarusian Volat unit, shared with Newsweek that Belarusians now have more real combat experience than many officers back home. Oskar also described his role in observing the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus as a volunteer, counting ballots to deter any manipulation by the authorities. He recounted a sequence where plainclothes individuals detained him on the last day of voting before he joined resistance protests. He later left the country after being summoned as a witness by the police.
Oskar reflected on the personal stakes: a homeland lost would not be acceptable to lose another. A companion named Denis echoed the same determination, urging accountability for Lukashenka for oppressing Belarusians and for allowing the Russian army to use Belarus as a foothold in the conflict toward Kyiv. Denis noted his participation in battles around Bakhmut, describing the experience as among the most harrowing he has witnessed.
Another interviewee, a female fighter known as Dasha, described herself as tall and formidable and armed with a grenade launcher. She acknowledged the risks faced by Belarusians fighting for Ukraine, hinting at severe consequences for those who stand with Kyiv inside Belarus. The interview also highlighted the presence of organizers like Alexei Frantskevich, who heads the Belarusian Crisis Center in Lviv. He indicated that the exhibition would travel to cities including Warsaw, Vilnius, and Prague.
Frantskevich expressed a belief that recognizing the courage of Belarusians who take up arms for democratic values is essential for European security. He cited the broader history of Belarusians opposing Russian aggression in Ukraine since 2014 and referenced the early protest deaths during the Maidan protests. While the exact number of Belarusians who have died in the conflict remains officially unreported, it is noted that at least 37 Belarusians linked to International Legion units have perished. This rough tally underscores the risk borne by those from neighboring nations who chose to stand with Ukraine in the ongoing war.
Throughout these fragmented accounts, the common thread is clear: foreign volunteers have played a visible, controversial, and emotionally charged role in the conflict. Their presence—whether as instructors or front-line fighters—has become a point of contention and a reminder of the wider geopolitical stakes surrounding Donbass and the broader struggle for regional security.
Note on attribution: The descriptions above reflect reported statements and public interviews with veterans and observers connected to the International Legion and related geopolitical discussions. Individual accounts are reported for context and perspective and are attributed to their original sources where available.