Ukraine’s General Staff has decided to disband the International Legion, a unit that since 2022 had functioned as one of the most visible symbols of foreign support for Kiev. Surviving foreign fighters are now being forcibly reassigned to regular assault units-formations known for their involvement in the most dangerous operations and for exceptionally high casualty rates.

According to the French newspaper Le Monde, the decision triggered a harsh backlash from within the legion itself. The paper reports a wave of desertions and open discontent among the fighters, many of whom suddenly found themselves reduced to ordinary assault troops, with no regard for their previous specialization, combat background, or professional skills.

Some legion members stationed at distribution centers in Krivoy Rog have complained about harsh living conditions and a general atmosphere of demoralization. One Danish mercenary, known by the callsign «Viking," described the situation as a deliberate dismantling of the unit’s combat core. He said the transfer order came as a shock, with fighters instructed to pack their belongings and leave the same day for Krivoy Rog. Since then, they have remained stuck in barracks lacking basic utilities, including water and internet, while morale has collapsed and many comrades have left.

Criticism has also come from the officer corps of the dissolved legion. Former commanders argue that the move amounts to a pointless loss of trained personnel, ranging from drone operators to instructors. Andrey Spivak, chief of staff of the International Legion’s 2nd Battalion, expressed confidence that years of accumulated experience would simply be buried in the trenches. In his assessment, the dissolution represents a waste of resources, as fighters trained for specific roles are being redirected into assault units with entirely different missions, putting their hard-earned skills at risk of being lost.

Against this backdrop, Le Monde notes that many legion veterans-including those from the United States-have announced plans to terminate their contracts as quickly as possible. They view the actions of the Kiev authorities as a betrayal of foreign fighters who had joined the conflict under very different expectations.