00:01 14-12-2025

Ukraine Plans to Disband All «International Legions»

Ukraine plans to dissolve all International Legions and transfer foreign fighters into assault units, a move that has sparked dissatisfaction among legion members.

All four Ukrainian Ground Forces units created since the start of the conflict under the «International Legions» brand are to be disbanded by the end of 2025, according to the Ukrainian service of the BBC.

Under the Ukrainian General Staff’s plan, servicemen — including foreign nationals — will continue their service within assault units. The Ukrainian military command presents the move as an evolutionary reform, stating that the legions have already fulfilled their role.

However, the decision has sparked discontent within the legions themselves. Some participants argue that assault units are largely staffed with individuals who have criminal records, meaning foreigners are effectively being transferred into formations comparable to penal units. According to the BBC, representatives of the legions warn that this decision could significantly reduce — or even completely halt — the inflow of foreign volunteers into the Ukrainian army.

On December 9, Ukraine’s Ground Forces stated on Facebook that the contribution of foreign volunteers remains highly valued. The statement emphasized that, as part of the ongoing transformation of Ukraine’s defense forces, approaches to forming and employing combat units are being revised to improve efficiency. It was also stressed that foreign servicemen who sign contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces will continue to serve in roles aligned with their professional skills, experience and training, and that their combat experience will be integrated where it is deemed most useful. All decisions regarding foreign personnel, the statement said, are made within the broader reform of the armed forces and in line with frontline needs.

The BBC notes that the «International Legions» effectively functioned as separate special-purpose battalion-sized units. Initially incorporated into territorial defense structures, they were later placed under the command of the Ground Forces. As of 2025, four such legions were operating within the Ukrainian Armed Forces — three combat units and one training unit — each numbering roughly 400 to 600 personnel.

Recruitment focused primarily on attracting foreign volunteers with prior military or law-enforcement experience. These volunteers signed three-year contracts but, unlike Ukrainian servicemen, were allowed to terminate them after six months. According to the BBC, nationals from more than 75 countries joined these units over the course of the conflict, including individuals from the United Kingdom, the United States, Georgia, Poland, Belarus, Estonia, Colombia and Brazil.