Georgians and Ukrainians have a history of sending volunteers to each other's countries during times of conflict or helping each other in political and humanitarian matters during the aforementioned wars. [201], In early March 2022, the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine reported Mexican volunteers had joined the International Legion in defense of Kyiv. [11] Most foreign fighters arrived throughout the summer of 2014[12] and on 6 October 2014 the Ukrainian parliament voted to allow foreign fighters to join the Ukrainian military. Apply to the Embassy of Ukraine in your country with the intention to join the International Legion of Defence of Ukraine (ask a Defence attache or Consul. [130] In March 2022, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand noted that "the legalities of the situation are indeterminate at this time. Ukraine must feel good that so many people came from all over the world to fight with them. Become a hero.Use your military experience to fight against evil. [226], The Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that Singaporeans who are in Ukraine are potentially liable for any criminal offences committed outside Singapore, especially when fighting Russian-backed forces, with offenders liable for imprisonment from 15 years to life with fines included. The two were married on February 24, 2022 - the day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine - and both joined the Kyiv territorial defense forces to help repel the Russians. Polish citizens who want to enlist in the International Legion, or any other foreign army, must receive the approval of the Polish Minister of National Defense. Los combatientes extranjeros en Ucrania", "Oklart hur mnga svenskar som kt till Ukraina fr att kriga - Frsvarsmakten: "Kan inte hindra ngon", "Des volontaires suisses dans la lgion internationale en Ukraine", "Foreign ministry discourages Taiwanese from joining Ukrainian foreign legion", "Thai democracy activists sign up to fight 'tyranny' in Ukraine", "American Fighters, Ukraine, and the Neutrality Act: The Law and the Urgent Need for Clarity", "Russia-Ukraine war: Meet the Afghan refugees fighting Moscow's latest invasion", "Ucrania recluta voluntarios argentinos que quieran enfrentarse contra la invasin rusa", "Argentine volunteers enlisting to join International Legion to defend Ukraine: Many are willing to pay for the 8,000-mile journey themselves if it means helping the Ukrainian people", "Scott Morrison advises Australians against travelling to Ukraine to fight Russian invasion: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on "citizens of the world" to join the fight against Russia as their forces battle to counter Moscow's advances", "Australian man who died fighting in Ukraine remembered as 'defender of freedom', " ", " ", "How Belarusian Fighters in Ukraine Evolved Into Prominent Force Against Russian Invasion", "Another Belarusian military unit announces formation for battles for Ukraine, this time regiment", "Understanding Belarus: Is it Putin's accomplice or a victim? [237] Rhee mentioned that he's willing to be investigated by the police over his presence in Ukraine and has politely turned down Ukrainian nationality. [148], It's reported that 600 Czechs have joined the legion as volunteers. Contact the Ukrainian embassy in your country, and ask to join the Ukraine International Legion. Unofficially part of Ukrainian Foreign Legion. [4] The fightforua.org website has been launched in Ukraine, which contains all the necessary information for foreign citizens who are ready to defend the security of Europe and join the International Defense Legion of Ukraine.. To join, one must be between the age of 18 and 60, be fit for service, and not have a criminal record. [116][117] Concerns were raised about the personal backgrounds and political profile of some of the Belgian volunteers. According to Article 94 of the Swiss Military Penal Code, such service is prohibited for Swiss without permission of the Federal Council, under penalty of a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of three years. 04 March 2022. [24] Moreover, the Brigades were organised by the Communist International, and thus mostly comprised communists with backgrounds in labour movements, whereas the Ukrainian Legion is composed of volunteers from a broader spectrum of ideologies. "[223], On 3 March 2022, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov warned that foreign fighters would be treated as unlawful combatants entitled to no protection under the Geneva Conventions, meaning captured foreign fighters will not be given prisoner of war status and will be prosecuted as mercenaries. [137], Some of the soldiers in the Norman Brigade are concerned on whether the Norman Brigade's leader, nom de guerre Hrulf, is incompetent in managing the unit. [195], On 11 November, Tokyo has confirmed that a Japanese volunteer was killed fighting Russian troops,[196] in only days after mourning his Taiwanese comrade's death in the Luhansk front. On February 27, 2022, just two days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for "friends of Ukraine, freedom and democracy" to volunteer for the Ukrainian Territorial . The 2006 Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act amended the bill, but appears to have never been enforced. [40] Belgian Minister of Defence Ludivine Dedonder confirmed on 15 March 2022 that one Belgian soldier had resigned to join the International Legion and another Belgian soldier had deserted to enlist in the International Legion. [3], In early March 2022, a French government adviser confirmed a dozen French nationals were in Ukraine and had likely joined the International Legion. [127] Brazilian diplomats confirmed the reports on July 5. [166][unreliable source? [42][43], Some news reports have reported Mamuka Mamulashvili, commander of the Georgian Legion, is commanding all or part of the International Legion, but no official Ukrainian source has confirmed a commander.[11][44]. There have been no reported cases of North Macedonian citizens going to Ukraine to join the International Legion. The 1998 Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act was passed to "regulate the rendering of foreign military assistance" by South Africans, but was largely referred to as a "mercenary bill" targeting former apartheid soldiers working as mercenaries. Join the brave! "We don't need any more people without military experience. The Territorial Defence Forces ( Ukrainian: , romanized : Viiska terytorialnoi oborony) are the military reserve component of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. [4] In establishing the force, Ukraine joined more than 90 other nations that have recruited legionnaires and raised foreign legions over the past two centuries.[5]. "The Foreign Ministry's travel bulletin recommends leaving Ukraine immediately. [260] The statement was also criticized by several politicians who said volunteers may be in violation of the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870. Slovakian citizens who want to join the International Legion must obtain a permit from the Slovak Republic before joining. "[59], On 10 March, the Ukrainian Ambassador in Denmark reported that more than 100 Danes had volunteered. The Government of the Republic of Moldova is not involved in such actions. The Czech Republic allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion after receiving permission from the Czech president. It is extremely dangerous." These persons also would not face criminal prosecution. 01. Sebastiaan Faber of Oberlin College in the US argued that depicting the Legion as part of a war between fascism and anti-fascism risks playing "into the Kremlin's narrative, which seeks to portray the "special military operation" as an effort to "denazify" its western neighbor." [241], The first photo distributed by Ukraine of the International Legion reportedly showed Swedish volunteers.[37]. [362], Members of the Legion, according to The Kyiv Independent, repeatedly reported this to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Verkhovna Rada and the Office of the President of Ukraine, but received no proper answer.[362]. Australia discourages its citizens from enlisting and the legality of volunteering under Australian law is unclear. [131] Due to a high number of Canadian volunteers, a separate Canadian battalion within the Legion, the Canadian Ukrainian Brigade, was established to avoid language barriers and logistics issues. It was literally a made-for-television moment. On 3 March 2022, the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, DC announced that 3,000 US citizens had signed up to volunteer. Later that evening, Ukraine's Minster of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, tweeted that Ukraine had officially formed the International Legion of [the] Territorial Defense of Ukraine. Mar 3, 2022. [215], On 7 March 2022, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that Nigerian citizens are not allowed to serve as mercenaries or foreign volunteers for Ukraine. 2 min read. Receive . "[99][243], Due to the lack of formal diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Taiwan, no diplomatic missions were established in either side. Foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, I invite you to contact foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine in your respective countries. Moldova discourages its citizens from enlisting into the legion. Those willing to enlist need to approach a local military recruitment office. fightforua.org #StopRussianAggression", "Ralf, from Finland, joined the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine: "There are a lot of people who came to #Ukraine to fight the Russians & defend democracy and freedom" Freedom is a choice. Andr Hack Bahi was killed on June 4 while helping fellow volunteers escape during fighting in the Luhansk region. Arrive at the Embassy with documents for an interview with the Defense Attach and settlement of visa issues with the Consul. Before being deleted, the video featured the national flags of the home countries of the volunteers, including the Black Bauhinia flag of Hong Kong. Ukraine's conflict with Russia is an interstate conflict of "national survival" against annexation, as was Finland's with the Soviet Union. [40] In early March, it claimed that it has recruited at least 600 people. When asked whether the law would also be applied to Austrians providing only humanitarian assistance, Srs responded it was "a matter for the courts to decide, not the executive." Foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, I invite you to contact foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine in your . This applies to potential missions for both Ukrainians and Russians. [280], Under Article 425 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code, it states that anyone who fights as a mercenary to fight against another country will be imprisoned from 5 to 15 years. Prospects and Possibilities", "Balkan Fighters Risk Criminal Charges for Joining Ukraine's Defence", "Cetenii RM se pot nscrie n Legiunea Internaional anunat de Zelenski pentru a lupta n Ucraina? The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on Sunday the country is establishing an "international" legion for foreign volunteers who want to fight for the nation, according to Reuters . [212], On August 25, 2022, Dominic Abelen was reported as the first New Zealand volunteer to be killed in action in the legion, who joined while on leave from the New Zealand military. If such an act is committed by a legal person, it is punishable by a pecuniary punishment. ", "Retour du tireur d'lite Wali | " La guerre, c'est une dception terrible ", "50 exmilitares de Colombia se unirn a Legin Internacional de Defensa en Ucrania", "La historia de Luis Lagos, el chileno que se uni a la milicia ucraniana para pelear contra los rusos", "Exmilitares colombianos se preparan para defender a Ucrania de la invasin rusa", "Christian Mrquez, el colombiano que muri en Ucrania, peleando una guerra ajena", "Croatian Volunteer Fighters Head for Ukrainian Frontline". During the interview, the official laid out what the process and requirements are for foreign volunteers to join the newly-formed "International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine." Ukrainian officials are recommending (but not requiring) that volunteers take their own gear like body armor, gloves, load-bearing vests, helmets, and the . Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba claimed that by 6 March 2022 more than 20,000 volunteers from 52 countries had enlisted to fight for Ukraine; several thousand more reportedly joined after the announcement. Meanwhile, at least 150,000 people fleeing the violence have crossed into neighboring countries . [129], In early March 2022, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged Cambodians not to travel to Ukraine and fight with Ukrainians in the legion. Step 3. Indian domestic law clearly bars foreign fighters under Chapter VI, Section 121-130 of the Indian Penal Code. [26], The criteria listed for joining included having prior military or medical experience and submitting documents as proof of military service to the Ministry of Defense official at the Ukrainian embassy. [214] On February 4, 2023, it's reported that Abelen may have been shot and killed in a friendly fire incident. symbol. [79], A Turkish citizen who has been living in Ukraine said he had signed up for the foreign legion along with 6 other Turkish citizens but they were later rejected. [37], In late February 2022, The Star reported that two Malaysians joined the Territorial Defense Army in Kyiv. The units and their respective nationalities have been reported as being part of the International Legion: A Special Forces wing, known as the Legionnaires Special Service Group (LSSG), is made of foreign fighters and was initiated by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's intelligence directorate (GUR). "[131] The government had announced that it is up to individual Canadians to decide whether they want to join and that they "respect personal choices",[131][132] though the government "is not facilitating" Canadians who are looking to join the International Legion. It is illegal for Vietnamese citizens to enlist in the International Legion. "[99] "The government fully understands the sentiment of its nationals who want to stand for righteousness and give their support to Ukraine. About 50 people managed to enter Ukraine by crossing the Sarpi customs point. [140], On 23 July 2022, the first Colombian casualty was an ex-Colombian police officer named Christian Camilo Mrquez was killed fighting in Izyum. He said: "The first Irish veterans they have to have military experience arrived in Ukraine last night, which is good to see because they have the Irish tricolor on their arm". Aiden Aslin, John Harding, Dylan Healy, Andrew Hill and Shaun Pinner all returned home to the UK. Here's what to do. Thailand discourages its citizens from enlisting. I had to come & do what I can do best, do what I can do to protect Ukrainian people" Freedom is a choice. Ukraine has received more than . Source: Legion representative Damien Magru . These international legions are presumably working closely with the Ukrainian armed forces, but without being part of the nation's military. Earlier, about 70 volunteers were going to Ukraine, of which about 50 were former servicemen of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Although no law prohibits the Portuguese citizens from fighting for the International Legion, the Portuguese government does not encourage any citizen to do it. [167][168] In that video, the Ukrainian military thanked the 20,000 volunteers from more than 50 countries. [165], The Ukrainian embassy in Athens, in early March 2022, received dozens of requests from Greek citizens and Ukrainian diaspora asking for information on how they could join the International Legion. [177], Ukrainian initiatives to recruit Israelis began on 26 February in tandem with thousands of Israelis protesting against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [298][299], According to The Kyiv Independent, which has received informations from sources inside the Legion, the leadership of the intelligence-run wing of the International Legion is allegedly implicated in various violations, including abuse, theft, and sending soldiers unprepared on reckless missions. February 27, 2022, the president of Ukraine called the foreigners wishing to stand for the defense of the world's security, to join the special unit of the International Legion of territorial defense. and reiterated "in order to urge Russia to stop its military aggression against Ukraine, Taiwan will participate in the economic sanctions imposed on Russia along with the international community. "[189], As of 2 March 2022, 70 Japanese men have applied to be volunteers of the volunteer foreign legion. Latvia allows its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. 6 were here. The regiment expresses its sincere condolences to the relatives", " ", " ", "American killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces in Ukraine", "2 Americans dead in eastern Ukraine: Officials", "Exclusive: U.S. Georgians have supported Ukraine since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian conflicts. The Norwegian government reminds about dangers, rules and responsibilities. The parliamentary groups of Estonia's Riigikogu are currently debating whether to allow Estonian citizens to volunteer to fight for Ukraine. [256][197], The Thai government stated that there is no law that bans Thai citizens from volunteering to fight in foreign legions, but they should "consider the potential grave danger as Russian forces pound Ukrainian cities with heavy weapons. [31][32], It has been reported that initial training and selection of volunteers had led to "uneven" performance and that the initial intake had already been dismissed by the Ukrainian authorities, with one anonymous Ukrainian general stating "we should only take experienced combat veterans that is the lesson that we are learning the others don't know what they are getting themselves into and when they find out, they want to go home". By Howard Altman and Philip Athey. The Ukrainian so-called "foreign territorial defense legion" was replenished with "volunteers" from Japan. A building burns after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday . [227], The Republic of Korea Marine Corps reported on 22 March 2022 that a Marine from the 1st Marine Division deserted from his unit and traveled to Ukraine to fight with the Legion. [89], According to lawyers interviewed, a Japanese person who works under a foreign military to wage war against another country could potentially be charged under Article 93 of the Penal Code. His squad then joined the International Legion. Abravitova told the Cape Town Press Club, on 11 March, that anyone who wanted to join Ukraine's fight against Russia was welcome. [13], While these units have officially been integrated into the Ukrainian Armed Forces, some units such as the Georgian Legion still exercise some autonomy. [37], On August 15, 2022, three captured British citizens, two International Legion volunteers and an aid worker, pleaded not guilty to charges of fighting as mercenaries in a court in the Donetsk People's Republic. [30], A British volunteer said that the contract required to join the International Legion limits pay to 7,000 a month (US$230) and extends for the duration of the war, although some volunteers were allowed to leave after signing. [261] It has been reported those who travel to Ukraine may be acting in contravention of UK anti-terrorism laws, though legal experts said prosecution would be unlikely owing to the UK government's support for Ukraine's armed resistance. [73] The German Federal Police specified they would not let right-wing extremists travel to Ukraine. Units involved; Order of battle: Order of battle: Strength; Pre-invasion at border: 169,000-190,000 Pre-invasion total strength: 900,000 military 554,000 . "We don't have a single clause that states that a person should be punished or that they must for example be granted permission or that they must go through some kind of procedure in order to go volunteer.". No doubts.No politics.The battle against Russia is the battle for y. [4], Candidates are advised to contact the Defense Attach of the Ukrainian Embassy in their respective country. [216], In a BBC Focus Africa program, Russian Ministry of Defense officials claimed that 38 Nigerians were killed while under Ukrainian command. [243], On 22 March, a Taiwanese Amis volunteer named Wang Jui-ti traveled to Helsinki to hand his application to join the Legion. Write an application for enlistment in the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for military service under a contract on a voluntary basis. [203] [220], The Government of Ukraine stated on 4 March 2022 that "some Portuguese" were already fighting in the International Legion of Territorial Defence. On 1 March, a new batch of volunteers was to fly to Ukraine but the Georgian government canceled their flight. However, under French law, France can order a five-year jail term for "mercenaries" who are "specifically recruited to fight in an armed conflict," are neither "from a state involved in the armed conflict" or a "member of such state's military," and who are paid to "participate or try to participate in the hostilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently referred to 16,000 foreigners joining the International Legion in "defense of Ukraine, Europe and the world." Now, according to the AP, there are . [170], Oz Katerji, a freelance war correspondent based in Kyiv, tweeted on 1 March that "a group of Kurds have joined the Ukrainian foreign legion" to fight against Russia. Hundreds of American, [] ], On 9 March 2022, the National Post reported that an anonymous representative of the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine had confirmed 550 Canadians were currently in the Canadian Ukrainian Brigade fighting in Ukraine. By this date, nine had returned home and two had apparently been killed in action. People were asked not to bring their own weapons to Ukraine. [104], On 28 February 2022, when asked about Australians volunteering for Ukraine, the Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison told reporters "I would counsel against that purely for the safety of Australians that they would not travel to Ukraine," and "I would say at this time the legality of such actions are uncertain under Australian law. [11] Other foreign volunteer battalions in the Ukrainian military included the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion and Sheikh Mansur Battalionboth formed by anti-Russian and anti-Ramzan Kadyrov Chechens,[15] and the Tactical group "Belarus" (formed by anti-Lukashenko Belarusians). . "[105], As of 28 December 2022, four Australian volunteers were killed in Ukraine. [204] RUSSIA . [92], It is unclear whether volunteering for foreign military service is illegal under South African law. German law does not forbid its citizens to enlist in the International Legion. Contact the Embassy of Ukraine in your country with the intention to join the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine (reach out to a military attache or consul: contact details are available on the website of our embassies): You can apply in three ways: 1) come to the embassy in person; 2) call the embassy; 3) send an e . Nana was reportedly injured in the city of Bakhmu during a tank siege. [272] Ex-Army reservist and dual Ukrainian-British national Viktor Yatsunyk was killed by a landmine in Izium. According to the Ukrainian embassy's national coordinator for the International Legion, Gert Snitselaar, 40 volunteers have departed the Netherlands for Ukraine. However, it is legal for Belgian citizens to enlist under Belgian law. According to the minister, this matter is scheduled to be discussed at this week's government meeting as well. He is certain Dutch citizens have perished during the fighting. However, there is no way to determine the exact number of casualties due to the fog of war. The Netherlands discourages its citizens from enlisting and it is illegal for active-duty Dutch soldiers to enlist in the International Legion under Dutch law. Nance did just that, the next day. He claimed that the Turkish authorities had asked Ukraine not to accept any Turkish citizens into its Foreign Legion. Italian law does not forbid enlistment in a foreign army, although there are provisions banning the organisation of said enlistment, as well as mercenaries. [107] The battalion eventually grew to a regiment of over 1000 volunteers. [54], Very shortly after the appeal for volunteers several hundreds of Swedish military volunteers enlisted in the International Legion for Ukraine, according to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. However, attempting to recruit a German citizen into foreign military service is illegal. The Embassy of Ukraine in Brazil said that "it is not enlisting for the Ukrainian Foreign Legion" or "campaigning to join this military formation". [113], The Ukrainian embassy in Brussels confirmed on 15 March that 18 Belgian residents had arrived in Ukraine to enlist in the international legion while a further 92 had expressed interest in joining. The foreign minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, said on February 27, via Twitter: "Foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense . [235][236] On May 20, Rhee was reported to be injured in the field, but is expected to make a recovery when he goes back to South Korea. [82] As of 7 March 2022, it is estimated around 200 Dutchmen have attempted to join the legion at the Ukrainian embassy in The Hague. As of November 2022, volunteers from the legion were recruited from 60 countries. Undated video published by 3rd Assault showed AFU tanks moving to attack and RF-held buildings under heavy autocannon fire from infantry combat vehicles. 1. Zelenskyy hopes to draw volunteers who will "defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine," Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. On 9 March, a 19-year old Coldstream Guard soldier left his barracks at Windsor and traveled to Poland in order to enlist with the legion. [182][183], Prior to the formation of the International Legion, about 50 to 60 Italian nationals travelled to Ukraine as foreign fighters before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [186][187], On September 20, 2022, Benjamin Giorgio Galli, an Italian volunteer was killed in combat against Russian troops. Indonesian citizens who enlist in a foreign military without permission from the president will lose their citizenship. [224], Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded a question in a press conference regarding the official stance towards any Taiwanese national who wants to join the International Legion in the war of Ukraine, stated "the government's consistent position is to call on all Taiwanese nationals to avoid traveling to Ukraine, due to the deteriorating situation in there. There's always a lot of gray areas in war. [135][136] He returned to his home country after two months. Noman elebicihan posted", "Who Are the Americans Who Went to Fight in Ukraine? Some Turkish nationals in Ukraine have been turned away from the International Legion. [110][111], In Belgian law, it is not illegal for a Belgian citizen to enlist for service in a foreign army. The contemporary French Foreign Legion requires a 5-year commitment. Foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, I invite you to contact foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine in your respective countries. The same court had previously passed death sentences on two British members of regular Ukrainian units, under the same charges. Asta e mna Moscovei", "40 Nederlanders onderweg naar Oekrane om te vechten tegen de Russen: 'Niet iedereen overziet de gevolgen', "Dutch Foreign Legion fighters wounded in Russian missile attack in western Ukraine", "Oekraens leger bevestigt: Nederlandse vrijwilliger overleden", "Another Dutch fighter killed in combat in Ukraine", "Over 500 Kiwis volunteer to fight for Ukraine International Legion against Russia despite a 'do not travel' warning", "New Zealand soldier who joined Ukraine foreign legion confirmed killed", "Corporal Dominic Abelen believed to have worked for special forces foreign military unit", "Kiwi soldier killed in Ukraine: New details emerge as foreign unit's 'luck ran out', "Nigerian volunteer: 'Fighting in Ukraine is better than living here', "Ukraine war: Nigerian and Senegalese soldiers killed, says Russia", Tidligere sametingsrepresentant i Ukraina: Jeg fler at det er vr tid for gi noe tilbake, "Peruano se une como voluntario para defender a Ucrania del ataque ruso: "Estoy dispuesto a dar mi vida", "Polak formuje oddzia do walki w Ukrainie. [10], Some foreign volunteers came to Ukraine much earlier, in 2014, to join the fight against the pro-Russian separatists as members of Ukrainian volunteer battalions that have been created after the start of the War in the Donbas. "If these are people who are residing in Estonia on the basis of a visa or residence permit, then they simply cannot come back here again," Lauri explained. [178][179], Many protesters had connections to Ukraine or other post-Soviet countries, but also a significant contingent of Israelis attended with no connection to the former USSR at all. It is illegal for Austrian citizens to enlist in the International Legion under Austrian law. Ukraine is creating an international territorial defense legion consisting of foreigners who want to join the resistance to Russian occupiers and protect world security, the Ukrainian President's Office has said.