There are people from all over the world: one of the commanders of the International Legion told how the unit is organized

At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine opened the recruitment of foreigners to the International Legion. Since then, our country has been protected by thousands of people from different parts of the world.

Military Jan with the call sign “Kenobi” in an interview with the “Ukrainian Witness” project told how the International Legion is organized.

“Kenobi” is the deputy commander of the 1st infantry battalion of the International Defense Legion of Ukraine. He took part in the defense of Kyiv region and was wounded in the battles for Gostomel, but he is already fighting in the Bakhmut direction.

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Yan’s brother is also a military man – he fought in Donbas, where he went missing in the fall of 2022. He himself has been in the army for 12 years, but he really wants to try to live a civilian life.

“I haven’t had it since I was 18. If I don’t like it, I’ll return to the ranks of the Armed Forces. The army is a place where you are always loved and expected.” – shares the fighter.

According to him, in the International Legion, the command line – officers and sergeants – is made up of Ukrainians. The infantry platoon, including its commander, includes foreigners.

“Kenobi” notes that the legion has people from all over the world.

“People come to us from all over the world. They are people of different nationalities, religious and political views. 90% come here to protect the civilized world.

If Ukraine cannot withstand this influx, then the Baltic countries, Poland and other territories to which Russia is beginning to assert its rights may be next.” – said the soldier.

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According to him, foreign military personnel perform combat tasks at a high level and devote themselves to it completely. They not only stand up for our values, but also give their lives for them. A soldier from Sri Lanka died recently, says Ian.

And once a situation arose that it was not possible to take away the body of a legionnaire who died during artillery fire. His position was completely destroyed. They could not get to it, as the enemy immediately opened fire.

“Two of our legionnaires waited for the worst weather conditions so that the enemy could not use drones. At night, without weapons, in personal protective equipment, with shovels and jacks, they went to the contact line. The enemy was up to 50 meters away. The guys began to break the position, lift logs to get the body. In 3-4 hours they managed to do it.” – says Jan.

In the Kupyan direction, seven legionnaires had to repel the attack of 60 Russians until help arrived.

“There were two dead, all the others were wounded. Only two could walk and hold weapons in their hands. They dragged the dead and wounded inside the building, and they themselves took up a circular defense from the outside. The fighting continued in the territory of one yard.” – shares the story of “Kenobi”.

According to him, the state awarded some legionnaires with “For Courage” orders. Some even think about obtaining Ukrainian citizenship.

At the same time, foreigners can leave Ukraine at any time.

“They can terminate the contract at any time. These are citizens of another state. These are people who voluntarily leave everything they have to come here.” – emphasizes “Kenobi”.

Earlier, we told the story of a professional cook and military man with the call sign “Fox”, who conquered the Norwegians with his borscht.

Read also: “I never come empty-handed.” The story of a volunteer from Paris who helps Ukraine