The International Legion of Ukraine is a foreign volunteer military unit operating under the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Established in February 2022, it was created in response to Ukraine's call for foreign fighters to help defend the country against Russia’s full-scale invasion. The unit consists of volunteers from multiple nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Poland, Georgia, and others.
The legion is structured similarly to Ukraine’s military and is divided into battalions based on nationality and language. It has been involved in frontline combat, reconnaissance, and special operations across various battle zones, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk.
Since its formation, the unit has been a subject of Russian disinformation, with Kremlin sources branding its members as "mercenaries" and threatening them with execution if captured. Despite these claims, the Ukrainian government recognises the legion as an official part of its armed forces, ensuring that its members are treated as lawful combatants under the Geneva Conventions.
