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Recent news highlights the crucial role of volunteer soldiers in defending Ukraine. On Ukrainian Volunteer Day, President Zelenskyy awarded medals to servicemen and honored families of fallen heroes. International volunteers continue to join the fight, despite challenges. Tragically, recruits like Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva and Aliaksei Lazarau have sacrificed their lives. The Ministry of Defence explained the reorganization of foreign units to strengthen combat capabilities. The global commitment is evident with volunteers from South America to Europe making significant contributions. These stories exemplify the courage and dedication of individuals worldwide in supporting Ukraine's defense.

What actions did President Zelenskyy take on Volunteer Day?

On Volunteer Day, President Zelenskyy honored volunteer soldiers and their families, awarding state medals to those serving and posthumously recognizing the bravery of fallen fighters. This event highlighted the nation's appreciation and respect for those who have selflessly defended Ukraine.

Who are some international volunteer fighters in Ukraine?

International volunteers in Ukraine come from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from Belarus, Poland, Brazil, and the United States. These fighters, such as Aliaksei Lazarau and Kacper Bass, join Ukrainian forces driven by a shared purpose to uphold freedom and resist aggression.

What was the recent incident involving a Brazilian recruit?

The incident involving Brazilian recruit Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva occurred after a brutal beating at a Kyiv military unit. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries, prompting an active investigation by the police into the circumstances surrounding his death within the foreign fighters' unit.

How has the Ministry of Defence addressed foreign volunteer units?

The Ministry of Defence has issued clarifications on reorganizing foreign volunteer units. Their aim is to enhance the army's combat efficiency by adjusting unit structures. These changes address public concerns while maintaining the commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense efforts.

What are some notable actions by South American volunteers in Ukraine?

South American volunteers have been instrumental in various military operations. For instance, a group from the Khartiia brigade successfully cleared a Kupiansk city council building of hostile elements, showcasing their courage and tactical skills in complex combat environments.

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News volunteer soldiers

Ukraine is recruiting foreign volunteers into the Defence Forces More than 20,000 foreign volunteers are serving in Ukrainian Armed Forces, — DW Ukraine has set a course to more actively recruit foreign volunteers into the Armed Forces. Currently, about 20,000 foreigners are fighting on Ukraine’s side—that is approximately 2% of the total strength of the Defense Forces. Their numbers are expected to grow. 2 531 50 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

award ceremony Zelenskyy honoured soldiers and families of fallen on occasion of Volunteer Day. VIDEO On the occasion of Ukrainian Volunteer Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to servicemen of the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine and civilians, and also presented awards to the families of fallen defenders. 2 150 26 Previously in trend: Awarding awards to military

Zolkin on voluntary mobilisation Ze-propagandist Zolkin was outraged by question of why he was not going to war as volunteer: "Are you #ucking crazy or something?". VIDEO Popular blogger and interviewer Volodymyr Zolkin, known for his conversations with Russian prisoners of war, reacted sharply to viewers' accusations about his personal involvement in combat operations. According to Censor.NET, during one of his broadcasts, Zolkin was outraged by the question of why he did not volunteer to go to the front. 27 513 127 Previously in trend: Mobilisation in Ukraine

Brazilian recruit dies after beating in Kyiv unit Media establish Brazilian recruit died after beating at Kyiv military unit: police investigating The Kyiv Independent has established that a 24-year-old recruit from Brazil, Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva, died in Kyiv after a brutal beating in the foreign fighters’ unit Advanced Company. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. 12 503 50

International legions International legions: Ministry of Defence clarification on reorganisation of foreign volunteer units. INFOGRAPHICS Recently, there has been a lot of conflicting information in the public sphere regarding the reorganisation of foreign volunteer units in Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence explained the logic behind the changes, which are aimed at strengthening the army's combat capability. 2 729 16 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Belarusian volunteer Aliaksei "Vuzh" Lazarau killed fighting for Ukraine Belarusian volunteer Aliaksei Lazarau (Vuzh) killed defending Ukraine. PHOTO A Belarusian volunteer from the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, Aliaksei "Vuzh" Lazarau, has been killed in fighting for Ukraine. 3 210 6 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Kyiv bids farewell to fallen Brazilian volunteer Kaua da Silva Kyiv bids farewell to 22-year-old Brazilian volunteer Kaua Victor da Silva who defended Ukraine. PHOTOS At the National Military Memorial Cemetery in Kyiv, a farewell ceremony was held for fallen Brazilian volunteer Kaua Victor da Silva, callsign Kurt. He will be 22 forever. 4 833 18 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Ukraine drone video: NGU Khartiia clears Kupiansk city council South American volunteers of Khartiia brigade clear Kupiansk city council building. VIDEO A reconnaissance-strike group of South American volunteers from the NGU "Khartiia" brigade conducted a special operation to clear the city council building in Kupiansk. 9 319 17 Previously in trend: Close-quarters combat Fighting in the Kupіansk direction

Belarusian volunteer sniper eliminated Russian soldiers in Donetsk region Belarusian volunteer snipers eliminate five occupiers in treeline. VIDEO Footage has surfaced online showing Belarusian volunteer snipers engaging the occupiers in a tree line. 5 632 5 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces Elimination of Russian occupiers

A 28-year-old Polish volunteer died in the Kharkiv region 28-year-old Polish volunteer Kacper Bass ("Frenchman") died in hospital after being wounded in fighting in Kharkiv region. PHOTO 28-year-old Polish volunteer Kacper Bass, nicknamed "Frenchman," died from wounds sustained in late December during combat operations in the Kharkiv region. 4 458 8 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Australian volunteer Russell Allan Wilson killed in the war in Ukraine Australian volunteer Russell Allan Wilson killed in fighting for Ukraine. PHOTO Volunteer fighter and Australian citizen Russell Allan Wilson was killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine. He died in combat on Dec. 12 near Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. 7 482 16 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Two US citizens in HUR’s International Legion killed in early December American volunteers Jones Ty Wingate and Brian Zacherl killed in battles for Ukraine In early December, while carrying out a combat mission in the war in Ukraine, servicemen of the International Legion, U.S. citizens Jones Ty Wingate and Brian Zacherl, were killed. 7 841 12 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Spanish-speaking Colombians train with Khartiia brigade in Ukraine Spanish-speaking unit of Khartiia National Guard brigade: Colombian fighters train and prepare to defend Ukraine. VIDEO Weapons handling, medical aid and combat tactics are part of the basic training for new recruits in one of the units of the National Guard’s Khartiia brigade. Orders here, however, are given in Spanish. The unit was formed this spring and named after the first fallen Colombian fighter, call sign "Guajiro". 3 433 11 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Czech volunteer fighterJirka Kotrla died in the war in Ukraine 27-year-old Czech volunteer fighter Jirka Kotrla killed fighting for Ukraine. PHOTO A 27-year-old Czech citizen, Jirka Kotrla, who had been listed as missing in action, was killed in fighting against Russian occupiers near Izium in Kharkiv region. 4 748 9 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Kyiv bids farewell to volunteer fighterBenjamin Asher Kyiv bids farewell to Hungarian volunteer fighter Benjamin Asher, who served in Third Assault Brigade. PHOTOS A farewell ceremony was held on Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in Kyiv for Benjamin Asher, a volunteer fighter from Hungary who fought with the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade and was killed in May this year. 3 501 12 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Georgians capture two Russians Georgian soldiers in Armed Forces of Ukraine captured two Russian infantrymen in Vovchansk direction. VIDEO A unit of Georgian fighters serving in Ukraine’s Defense Forces captured two Russian infantrymen during a clearance operation on the Vovchansk front in Kharkiv region. 7 192 10 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

afu Foreign volunteers will have broader opportunities in Defense Forces, - Ground Forces Foreign volunteers who sign a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine will have broader opportunities for service, including the right to choose a combat brigade, direction, and specific application, in accordance with the training, experience, and preferences of the serviceman. 5 656 19 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Rules of stay of foreign soldiers in Ukraine will be changed For foreigners whose contract with Armed Forces has expired, it is proposed to extend time of stay in Ukraine The Rada proposes to extend the rights of foreign military personnel whose contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine have expired. 1 299 7 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces Foreigners in AFU

AFU Sixth group of Ukrainian Legion volunteer fighters signed contracts with Armed Forces of Ukraine in Lublin. PHOTO On Friday, October 10, the sixth group of volunteer fighters of the Ukrainian Legion, composed of Ukrainian citizens living abroad, signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The signing ceremony took place in Lublin. 9 938 19 Previously in trend: Ukrainian legion in Poland

Sixth group of Ukrainian Legion volunteers to sign contracts with the Armed Forces on October 10 Sixth group of Ukrainian Legion volunteers to sign contracts with Armed Forces of Ukraine in Lublin On October 10, in the Polish city of Lublin, the sixth group of volunteers from the Ukrainian Legion will sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 1 904 0 Previously in trend: Ukrainian legion in Poland

Polish volunteer fighter Wojciech Antoni, who was wanted in Warsaw Missing 18-year-old from Poland found in Ukraine: He became volunteer fighter in AFU In mid-March 2025, an 18-year-old from Poland, Wojciech Antoni, was declared missing after he was supposed to travel to Warsaw. Half a year later, it turned out that the young man had volunteered to join the Ukrainian army. 9 128 40 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Denys Ponomarenko Television project director of photography and volunteer Denys Ponomarenko died defending Ukraine. PHOTO On Sunday, 7 September, a TV project director of photography Denys (Bes) Ponomarenko, who volunteered to join the AFU after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, was killed while performing a combat mission in the Kharkiv region. 5 531 7 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

volunteers At least 92 Americans have died fighting for Ukraine, - NYT The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II has recorded that at least 92 US citizens died defending Ukraine from Russian aggression. 3 515 33 Previously in trend: foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Olev Roost, a volunteer fighter from Estonia, died in the war in Ukraine Estonian volunteer fighter Olev Roost killed in action while defending Ukraine. PHOTO An Estonian volunteer fighter, Olev Roost, has been killed in the war in Ukraine. 5 353 13 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine foreign volunteers in the armed forces

Luca Cecca died Italian volunteer fighter Luca Cecca killed in fighting for Ukraine. PHOTO Italian volunteer fighter Luca Cecca died defending Ukraine. 4 867 9 Previously in trend: Enemy losses foreign volunteers in the armed forces

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. 7 286 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. 4 323 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. 5 216 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. 3 038 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. 4 029 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. 5 127 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). 8 000 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. 8 522 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. 24 198 111

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. 9 306 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. 2 403 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. 4 947 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. 2 652 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. 5 065 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. 4 772 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. 1 831 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. 4 426 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. 5 135 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. 1 856 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. 17 932 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. 4 399 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. 5 736 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. 1 973 2 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupiers