3663 visitors online
Volunteer soldiers have played a significant role in Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. Many international fighters have joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces, contributing bravely on the front lines. Recent reports highlight various incidents involving volunteer soldiers, including the tragic deaths of Benjamin Asher from Hungary and Vano Nadiradze from Georgia, both of whom fought valiantly for Ukraine. The Ukrainian government continues to harness the strength of volunteers, recently launching an experimental project to enhance air defense with Volunteer Forces Territorial Communities. This involvement includes not only foreign nationals but also Ukrainians living abroad, who have signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The contributions of these volunteer soldiers demonstrate immense bravery and commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty amidst ongoing conflict.

What is the role of volunteer soldiers in Ukraine's military?

Volunteer soldiers provide essential manpower and expertise to Ukraine's military efforts against Russian aggression. They join the Ukrainian Armed Forces, participating in various operations and often bringing specialized skills, such as drone operations or medical expertise. Their involvement strengthens Ukraine's defense capabilities.

How does Ukraine support families of fallen volunteer fighters?

Ukraine offers support to families of fallen volunteer fighters through compensation and other assistance programs. Recently, President Zelenskyy signed a law granting UAH 15 million to families of volunteer fighters who died while defending Ukraine, acknowledging their sacrifices and providing financial support in their time of need.

How are foreign volunteers integrated into Ukraine's defense forces?

Foreign volunteers are integrated into Ukraine's defense forces by joining specific units such as the International Legion. They undergo training and may sign contracts with the Ukrainian military, officially enlisting their support for Ukraine's defense efforts. Their presence is vital in reinforcing Ukraine's battle against aggression.

What is the significance of the Ukrainian Legion?

The Ukrainian Legion is a program that mobilizes both international and domestic volunteers who wish to support Ukraine's defense against external threats. It involves military training and contractual agreements, ensuring that volunteers are well-prepared and officially recognized as part of Ukraine's defensive strategy.

What are some recent achievements of volunteer groups in Ukraine?

Volunteer groups in Ukraine have achieved notable successes, such as the Belarusian Kalinowski regiment's effective use of drones to destroy enemy assets and the integration of air defense efforts. These successes highlight the strategic importance and operational effectiveness of volunteer groups within Ukraine's defense architecture.

Are there any recent changes in government policy regarding volunteer fighters?

Yes, recent government policies have been aimed at expanding the role of volunteers. The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has launched projects to incorporate volunteer groups into territorial defense systems, and legislation now allows foreigners to officially enlist in the Ukrainian military, reflecting an inclusive and strategic approach to defense.

What challenges do volunteer soldiers face in Ukraine?

Volunteer soldiers face numerous challenges, including navigating complex operational environments, the risk of injury or death, and coordination within the military hierarchy. Leadership issues can arise, as noted by some volunteers, which may impact morale and effectiveness. Addressing these challenges is crucial for maintaining a resilient volunteer force.

Are there any experimental projects involving volunteer forces?

Yes, Ukraine has initiated experimental projects to enhance its defense capabilities by involving volunteer forces. One such project focuses on reinforcing territorial air defense with volunteer groups, demonstrating an innovative approach to integrating skilled volunteers into strategic operations, thereby boosting overall military effectiveness.

How are volunteer fighters trained for military operations in Ukraine?

Volunteer fighters undergo comprehensive training to prepare for military operations in Ukraine. This training is conducted in collaboration with military units like the Ukrainian Legion, often involving international cooperation. The training covers various military skills needed to effectively contribute to defense efforts against enemy forces.

What is the impact of volunteer soldiers on Ukraine's international relations?

Volunteer soldiers from various countries highlight global support for Ukraine, strengthening its diplomatic ties and promoting international solidarity. Their presence in Ukraine serves as a testament to shared values and commitments to peace and democracy, fostering robust alliances in the face of geopolitical challenges.

show details

News volunteer soldiers

Robert Edward Pietrangelo 23-year-old American volunteer fighter Robert Pietrangelo killed defending Ukraine. PHOTO 23-year-old American volunteer fighter Robert Edward Pietrangelo, known as "Bobby," from Pennsylvania and a former U.S. Boy Scout, died fighting for Ukraine. 6 797 19 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

Georgian Valerii Badzahua killed in the war in Ukraine 23-year-old Georgian citizen Valerii Badzahua killed defending Ukraine. PHOTO Valerii Badzahua, a 23-year-old Georgian citizen who joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces before the full-scale invasion, has died fighting against Russia. 3 868 8 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces

21‑year‑old Italian volunteer of Ukrainian origin Artem Naliato was killed in Ukraine 21‑year‑old Italian volunteer fighter of Ukrainian origin Artem Naliato killed in action A 21‑year‑old Italian of Ukrainian origin, Artem Naliato, adopted by an Italian family as a child, has been killed fighting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 4 931 13 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Hungarian fights on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces against Russia: Budapest to judge Man who has been fighting on side of Ukraine in war against Russia for over year will be tried in Hungary A Hungarian citizen from the city of Mako was charged in absentia with joining the Ukrainian army last year and participating in hostilities against Russia. The man will be tried in absentia. 2 600 16 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces Foreigners in AFU

Hungary Hungarian volunteer Benjamin Asher killed in war in Ukraine A 21-year-old Hungarian citizen, Benjamin Asher, who fought on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a volunteer, was killed in the battle for Ukraine. 3 610 16 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Kyiv bids farewell to Georgian volunteer Vano Nadiridze, who fought on the side of Ukraine Kyiv bids farewell to Georgian volunteer fighter Vano Nadiradze, who fought on side of Ukraine in SOF. PHOTOS On 25 June in Kyiv, a farewell ceremony was held for Georgian volunteer Lieutenant Colonel Vano Nadiradze, who led the Georgian group within Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces. He had been fighting alongside the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. 4 850 12 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces

air defense Experimental project launched to reinforce air defense with VFTC groups The Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a resolution launching an experimental project aimed at enhancing territorial air defense by involving air defense groups formed within volunteer formations of territorial communities (VFTC). 7 820 28 Previously in trend: Ukrainian Air defence Volonteer soldiers will shoot the drones

US volunteer fighter Ryan O’Leary 59th SAB on statement by U.S. volunteer fighter O’Leary: he does not possess up-to-date information on unit’s current state 59th Separate Assault Brigade (SAB) named after Yakov Handziuk stated that its former soldier Ryan O’Leary does not have up-to-date information about the current situation in the unit. Previously, he reported suspending the activities of the Chosen Company company due to poor leadership. 8 278 78

Ryan O’Leary, a volunteer fighter from the USA "We’ve lost more people to poor leadership and Soviet thinking than to direct Russian actions" – U.S. volunteer fighter O’Leary American volunteer fighter Ryan O’Leary, commander of the Chosen Company, announced he is disbanding the unit due to poor leadership. The serviceman also expressed his opinion regarding the quality of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ officer corps. 22 600 111

Volunteers were allowed to shoot down drones. What is known Volunteers to help shoot down enemy drones - Cabinet of Ministers The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Defense to allow volunteers to shoot down enemy drones. 9 081 58 Previously in trend: Volonteer soldiers will shoot the drones

candle Italian National Legion member killed in war in Ukraine: body on occupied territory An Italian citizen who served in the National Legion was killed during the full-scale war in Ukraine. 2 314 8 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

Georgian volunteer killed Georgian volunteer Tarbey Arkania killed in war in Ukraine. PHOTO Tarbey (Tabo) Arkania, a Georgian volunteer, was killed in the battles for Ukraine, he fought in the Pokrovsk direction. 4 765 17 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

Drones destroy occupiers Belarusian volunteers from Kalinowski regiment destroy Russian occupiers with drones. VIDEO Belarusian volunteers from the Kastus Kalinowski Regiment published a video with fragments of the drone operators' combat work. 2 558 2 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Zelenskyy signs law on UAH 15 million compensation to families of fallen volunteer fighters President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a bill that provides for the payment of UAH 15 million to the families of volunteer fighters killed in the defence of Ukraine. 4 824 22 Previously in trend: Payments to deceased volunteers

Hospitaliers’ base in Pavlohrad destroyed Enemy strike destroyed base of Hospitallers medical volunteer battalion in Pavlohrad. PHOTO In Pavlohrad, the Russian occupiers destroyed the base of "Hospitallers" medical volunteer battalion. 4 674 36 Previously in trend: Enemy destroyed the Hospitallers’ base.

destruction of Russian equipment Drone operators of Kalinoŭski’s regiment destroyed and damaged 8 enemy infantry fighting vehicles and eliminated 12 occupiers. VIDEO The drone operators of Kalinoŭski's "RBMK" unit eliminated 12 occupiers, destroyed three IFVs and damaged five more. 1 690 4 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

contract, armed forces Number of brigades under Contract 18-24 project has been increased to 24 - Ministry of Defence. PHOTO The Contract 18-24 project has been expanded to include 24 brigades instead of 16. 4 232 10 Previously in trend: Contract 18-24

Reconnoiterer soldier Ivan Palamarchuk died defending Ukraine He shielded three of his comrades with his own body: 24-year-old soldier of "Aidar" battalion and scout Ivan Palamarchuk was killed in action. PHOTO On 20 April, Ivan Palamarchuk, a 24-year-old Plast member of the Aidar assault battalion, died at the front, shielding his three comrades. 5 038 7 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

Volunteer fighters 18-24 took the oath Hundreds of contracts signed under "18–24" program – Ministry of Defense Hundreds of contracts have already been signed under the "Contract 18–24" volunteer program. 1 686 9 Previously in trend: Contract 18-24

Destruction of occupier at close range Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier from Brazil destroys occupier at close range. VIDEO A Brazilian volunteer destroyed a Russian occupier in close combat using small arms at a short range in the Kharkiv sector. 17 573 53 Previously in trend: Close-quarters combat Elimination of Russian occupiers

Recruitment centre of the Ukrainian Legion has been opened in Poland Government has allowed foreigners to be recruited for military service under contract in Ukraine At a meeting on Tuesday, theCabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a resolution that provides for the official involvement of foreigners and stateless persons in military service under contract. 4 189 30 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

49th recruitment centre of Ukrainian army opened in Boryspil More than 10 thousand volunteers who had applied to recruitment centres became candidates for Defence Forces and military - Ministry of Defence. INFOGRAPHICS Already, 10,143 volunteers who had applied to recruitment centres became candidates for the Defence Forces of Ukraine and military personnel. 5 565 5 Previously in trend: Recruitment centres’ performance results

destruction of the invaders Drone operators of Kalinoŭski’s regiment destroyed BMD-4, ATGM and at least four occupiers. VIDEO A video has been published online showing fragments of the combat work of drone operators of the RBMK unit of the Belarusian regiment named after Kastus Kalinoŭski in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 1 887 2 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupiers

Vance Strongest man I know, - Vance commented on criticism from his cousin who fought for Ukraine US Vice President J.D. Vance commented on the statements of his cousin Nate Vance, who volunteered to defend Ukraine. 20 666 32 Previously in trend: Vance’s cousin fought for Ukraine

Vance’s brother US Vice President Vance’s cousin Nate Vance volunteered to fight for Ukraine as part of "Wolves of Da Vinci" - Le Figaro The cousin of US Vice President JD Vance, Nate Vance, has been fighting for Ukraine as part of the "Wolves of Da Vinci" battalion since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. In January 2025, the man returned to the United States. 26 123 77 Previously in trend: Vance’s cousin fought for Ukraine

First volunteers under Contract 18-24 programme have received their payments "Contract 18-24": first volunteers have received their payments. VIDEO The first volunteers aged 18 to 24 who signed a contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already received their payments. 5 697 18 Previously in trend: Contract 18-24

Foreign volunteers of "Charter" Volunteers from United States responded to Trump-Zelenskyy dispute: This is essentially Russian propaganda from mouth of American president. VIDEO A group of American volunteers serving in the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, the "Charter", commented on the dispute between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 13 174 41 Previously in trend: Trump-Zelenskyy dispute

Ukrainian Legion Third group of Ukrainian Legion volunteers in Poland signs contract with Armed Forces of Ukraine On February 28, the third group of volunteers who joined the Ukrainian Legion in Poland signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 3 666 10 Previously in trend: Ukrainian legion in Poland

A US defender said goodbye on Maidan Kyiv bids farewell to American volunteer medic Ethan Hertweck. VIDEO&PHOTOS On February 28, Independence Square in Kyiv bids farewell to American Ethan Hertweck, who was killed in battle for Ukraine on December 14, 2023. 9 067 24 Previously in trend: Farewell on the Maidan

Swiss volunteer fighter killed in the war in Ukraine First volunteer fighter from Switzerland killed in war in Ukraine For the first time since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a Swiss volunteer fighter was killed. 2 971 10

18-year-old British volunteer soldier James Wilton was killed 18-year-old British volunteer soldier James Wilton was killed during his first combat mission in Donetsk region. PHOTO James Wilton, an 18-year-old volunteer soldier from the United Kingdom who joined the Armed Forces a few months after graduating from college, was killed in the fighting for Ukraine. It was his first combat mission. 24 758 110

A 19-year-old Pole, Filip Antosiak, was killed near Pokrovsk Kyiv bids farewell to 19-year-old Polish volunteer fighter Filip Antosiak. PHOTOS On Thursday, January 30, Kyiv bids farewell to 19-year-old Polish volunteer soldier Filip Antosiak, who was killed near Pokrovsk, Donetsk region. 11 359 36

Australian volunteer Jenkins may be alive Russia tells Australia that volunteer Jenkins, allegedly executed by Russians, may be alive The Australian government has received information from Russia that Australian volunteer Oscar Jenkins, who fought on the side of Ukraine and was allegedly executed by the Russians, may be alive and in Russian captivity. 2 375 5

Austrian volunteer killed in fighting for Ukraine 30-year-old volunteer from Austria died defending Ukraine. PHOTO A volunteer from Austria was killed in the fighting for Ukraine. He was 30 years old. 5 225 8

volunteer fighter Zaitseva Volunteer fighter from Belarus, Maria Zaitseva, died at front defending Ukraine. PHOTO A 24-year-old volunteer fighter from Belarus, Maria Zaitseva, died at the front defending Ukraine from Russian invaders. 15 252 27

Edgar Platonov Volunteer fighter from Latvia Edgar Platonov was killed in battles for Ukraine. PHOTO Edgar Platonov, a fighter of the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, died at the front defending Ukraine from Russian invaders. 5 018 21

Second group of volunteer fighters from the Ukrainian Legion signs contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Poland Second group of volunteer fighters from Ukrainian Legion signs contracts with AFU in Poland. PHOTO A second group of volunteer fighters from among Ukrainian citizens living abroad signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 7 097 7

Jordan Maclachlan Scottish volunteer Jordan Maclachlan killed in war in Ukraine Jordan Maclachlan, a 26-year-old volunteer from Scotland, joined the Ukrainian army in 2022 after a period of volunteering. 7 629 24

Ukrainian Legion Ambassador Bodnar: New Ukrainian Legion recruitment will include many times more volunteers than first one The second recruitment to the Ukrainian Legion, which is being formed in Poland, will be much larger than the first. 1 994 5

first unit of Ukrainian Legion, which is currently being formed in Poland, has already left for Ukraine First volunteers of Ukrainian Legion have arrived in Ukraine - Ambassador Bodnar The first unit of the Ukrainian Legion, which is currently being formed in Poland, has already left for Ukraine. The soldiers will continue their training here. 3 274 8

afu Ambassador Bodnar: More than thousand applications have been submitted to Ukrainian Legion in Poland More than a thousand applications have been submitted to the Ukrainian Legion, which is being formed in Poland. 2 833 11

Kalinoŭski regiment Soldiers of Kalinoŭski’s regiment are engaged in small arms battle with enemy. VIDEO Belarusian volunteers from the Kastuś Kalinoŭski regiment, together with their colleagues from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, are engaged in a small arms battle with the enemy. 4 439 4 Previously in trend: War

Belarusian volunteer Gaz killed in fighting for Ukraine Volunteer from Belarus with call sign Gaz was killed in action for Ukraine. PHOTO An International Legion soldier, a 25-year-old Belarusian citizen with the call sign Gaz, was killed in action for Ukraine. 4 104 5 Previously in trend: War

фінляндія,доброволець Finnish volunteer fighter - medic killed in battle. PHOTO A Finnish volunteer medic with the call sign Sipa was killed in action in eastern Ukraine. 7 327 17

Загинув Леван Лохішвілі  Defending Ukraine, volunteer from Georgia, Levan Lokhishvili, was killed. PHOTO On 19 November, 24-year-old Georgian volunteer Levan Lokhishvili was killed in a homemade drone explosion in Kherson region. 5 432 15

добровольці, легіон, зсу First group of volunteers of Ukrainian Legion in Poland took military oath - Ministry of Defense. PHOTOS On Saturday, 16 November, the first group of volunteers of the Ukrainian Legion took the oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people at a training centre of the Polish Armed Forces. 11 771 23

Убивцям добровольця Щербини оголосили вирок Murder of volunteer fighter from "Freedom" VFTC Shcherbyna: shooter sentenced to 13 years in prison, two accomplices to 3 years in prison On 12 November 2024, the Holosiivskyi District Court of Kyiv announced the verdict against three young men in the case of the fatal attack on Oleksii Shcherbyna, a volunteer fighter of the Svoboda VFTC (Volunteer Formation of Territorial Community). 13 022 55

У Польщі підписали контракт з ЗСУ перші добровольці Українського легіону First group of Ukrainian Legion volunteers signs contracts with Armed Forces of Ukraine. PHOTO On 12 November, the first group of volunteers from the Ukrainian Legion signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 8 071 4