Foreign fighters criticize Kyiv after disbanding elite unit

At the end of 2025, Ukraine effectively disbanded the International Legion, in which foreign volunteers had been fighting since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

The unit was established by President Volodymyr Zelensky shortly after the start of the war in 2022, but its members are now being transferred to regular army units. According to Le Monde and the Polish portal DoRzeczy, these are often units deployed in the most dangerous combat operations.

Many legionnaires criticize Kiev's decision, calling it demoralizing. They complain about deteriorating conditions, lack of training, and communication problems in the new units.

Some foreign fighters are therefore terminating their contracts and leaving. The chief of staff of one of the legion's battalions has also expressed criticism, speaking of a strategic mistake and a waste of the specialized unit's experience. The Ukrainian General Staff has not officially commented on the decision.

(mja)