08:09 12-11-2025

Foreign Mercenaries Join Ukraine’s “Flash” Drone Unit

North Atlantic Treaty Organization / www.nato.int

Mercenaries from Madagascar, the UK, France and the US have joined Ukraine’s “Flash” drone battalion, where English fluency—not combat experience—appears to be the main requirement.

A growing number of foreign fighters are joining Ukraine’s «Flash» drone battalion, including recruits from Madagascar, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, according to reports from RIA Novosti.

Information about the battalion first surfaced in early October, when it became known that «Flash» was composed mainly of mercenaries specializing in the use of unmanned aerial systems.

The organization responsible for recruiting foreigners into the Ukrainian armed forces has since announced on social media that new drone operators from Madagascar, France, and the UK are undergoing training within the «Flash» unit. A video released alongside the post shows several of the new recruits.

In the footage, one man identified himself as a former British Army infantryman, while another said he had previously worked as a firefighter before coming to Ukraine. The recruiter featured in the same video explained that proficiency in English was the primary selection criterion, while prior combat experience was not mandatory.

The recruitment channel also published an interview with an American mercenary, who said he had been fighting with Ukraine’s 25th Airborne Brigade since late 2024. He later transferred to the «Flash» battalion, which is part of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade known as the «Knights of the Winter Campaign.»