Foreign fighters in the Russo-Ukrainian War#Ukrainian side

The Russo-Ukraine War has seen two distinct waves of foreign fighters: the 2014 wave to join Ukrainian volunteer battalions and pro-Russia separatist groups during the War in the Donbas phase and the post-Russian Invasion of Ukraine wave starting in 2022.{{cite book |last1=Rękawek |first1=Kacper |title=Foreign Fighters in Ukraine: The Red-Brown Cocktail |date=2023 |publisher=Routledge |pages=14–15 |edition=1st}}

{{further|Ukrainian volunteer battalions#Foreign fighters}}

The foreign fighter movement in 2014 was largely short-lived, with researcher Kacper Rekawek writing, "fighters arrived throughout the summer of 2014, and most of them were gone from Ukraine at some point in 2015, although some returned later, with a small group settling in Ukraine permanently."{{cite news |last1=Rekawek |first1=Kacper |title=Ukraine's Foreign Legion: 12 important points |url=https://www.sv.uio.no/c-rex/english/news-and-events/right-now/2022/ukraine%E2%80%99s-foreign-legion-.html |access-date=19 March 2022 |work=University of Oslo |publisher=Center for Research on Extremism |date=18 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318111036/https://www.sv.uio.no/c-rex/english/news-and-events/right-now/2022/ukraine%E2%80%99s-foreign-legion-.html |url-status=live}} By the end of 2015, Rekawek notes, "both sides took steps to professionalise their forces and incorporate the bottom-up organised volunteer battalions into e.g. the Ukrainian National Guard or, in the case of the 'separatists,' into the 'army corps.' This effectively meant an end to foreign fighter recruitment for this conflict and very few (new) foreigners joined either side after the end of 2015."

An analysis of foreign fighters by Arkadiusz Legieć, a Senior Analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, estimated that about 17,241 foreign fighters fought in Ukraine between 2014 and 2019. 3,879 of those foreign fighters supported Ukraine and joined foreign volunteer battalions. The largest group of foreign fighters in Ukraine was approximately 3,000 Russian citizen volunteers. The second-largest group consisted of approximately 300 Belarusians. The third-largest group consisted of approximately 120 Georgians. The only other country to exceed 50 foreign fighters was Croatia, with approximately 60 fighters. Other countries whose nationals supported Ukraine included Albania (15), Australia (5), Austria (35), Azerbaijan (20), Belgium (1), Bosnia and Herzegovina (5), Bulgaria (6), Canada (10), Czech Republic (5), Denmark (15), Estonia (10), Finland (15), France (15), Germany (15), Greece (2), Ireland (7), Israel (15), Italy (35), Latvia (8), Lithuania (15), Moldova (15), Kosovo (4), Netherlands (3), North Macedonia (4), Norway (10), Poland (10), Portugal (1), Romania (4), Serbia (6), Slovakia (8), Sweden (25), Turkey (30), the United Kingdom (10), and the United States (15).{{cite news |title=White Supremacy Extremism: The Transnational Rise of the Violent White Supremacist Movement |url=https://thesoufancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Report-by-The-Soufan-Center-White-Supremacy-Extremism-The-Transnational-Rise-of-The-Violent-White-Supremacist-Movement.pdf |access-date=13 March 2022 |publisher=The Soufan Center |date=September 2019 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131063400/https://thesoufancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Report-by-The-Soufan-Center-White-Supremacy-Extremism-The-Transnational-Rise-of-The-Violent-White-Supremacist-Movement.pdf |url-status=live}}

The launch of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused a significant increase in the number of foreign fighters in the conflict.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} The Ukrainian government announced the establishment of an officially-sanctioned foreign legion two days after it began, which had received alleged endorsement from some Western governments after ambiguous statements from officials.{{cite news |last1=Abend |first1=Lisa |title=Meet the Foreign Volunteers Risking Their Lives to Defend Ukraine—and Europe |url=https://time.com/6155670/foreign-fighters-ukraine-europe/ |access-date=12 March 2022 |publisher=Time |date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309035114/https://time.com/6155670/foreign-fighters-ukraine-europe/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Parliamentary groups debate allowing Estonian citizens to fight in Ukraine |url=https://news.err.ee/1608515537/parliamentary-groups-debate-allowing-estonian-citizens-to-fight-in-ukraine |website=Eesti Rahvusringhääling |language=en |date=13 March 2022 |access-date=13 March 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303101335/https://news.err.ee/1608515537/parliamentary-groups-debate-allowing-estonian-citizens-to-fight-in-ukraine |url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Saeima moves to let Latvians fight for Ukraine without fear of prosecution |url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/saeima-moves-to-let-latvians-fight-for-ukraine-without-fear-of-prosecution.a445637/ |access-date=3 March 2022 |website=Lsm.lv |language=en |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228105104/https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/saeima-moves-to-let-latvians-fight-for-ukraine-without-fear-of-prosecution.a445637/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title=UK's Liz Truss: I support Brits who take up arms against Putin |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-united-kingdom-russia-war-liz-truss-support-brits-arms-against-vladimir-putin/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=POLITICO |language=en-US |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304112000/https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-united-kingdom-russia-war-liz-truss-support-brits-arms-against-vladimir-putin/ |url-status=live }} The Georgian Legion and Belarusian Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment and are one of the largest such units on the Ukrainian side.

Russian president Vladimir Putin publicly welcomed fighters from abroad to join his forces.{{cite news |last=M. Ilyushina and A. Suliman |first= |date=11 March 2022 |title=Putin welcomes foreign 'volunteers,' most from Middle East, to reinforce troops in Ukraine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/11/putin-foreign-volunteers-invasion-ukraine/ |work= |location=The Washington Post |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316075326/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/11/putin-foreign-volunteers-invasion-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} Most foreigners arriving to fight for Russia are enlisted in the Prizrak Brigade.

{{Expand section|date=August 2022}}

A significant number of foreign fighters from the former Soviet Union have fought in Russo-Ukrainian War for the pro-Russian side. These have included fighters from Armenia,{{cite news |date=15 July 2014 |title='I was a separatist fighter in Ukraine' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/15/separatist-fighter-russia-eastern-ukraine-interview |work= |location=The Guardian |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715170319/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/15/separatist-fighter-russia-eastern-ukraine-interview |url-status=live }} Belarus,{{cite news |date=8 December 2017 |title=Belarusians Fighting On Both Sides In Eastern Ukraine |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-belarusians/28902490.html |work= |location=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228140442/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-belarusians/28902490.html |url-status=live }} Kazakhstan,{{cite news |date=24 October 2016 |title=Trial Begins For Kazakh Citizen Suspected Of Fighting Alongside Separatists In Ukraine |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-aqtobe-trial-fighting-ukraine/28072078.html |work= |location=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228134237/https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-aqtobe-trial-fighting-ukraine/28072078.html |url-status=live }} Kyrgyzstan,{{cite news |date=20 March 2015 |title=Kyrgyz Mercenary Details Russian Military Role In Ukraine |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyz-mercenary-russian-military-in-ukraine/26911714.html |work= |location=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228134235/https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyz-mercenary-russian-military-in-ukraine/26911714.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=10 August 2020 |last=Altynbayev |first=Kanat |title=Kyrgyz membership in Russia's Wagner Group sends warning to Central Asia |url=https://central.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2020/08/10/feature-01 |work= |location=Caravanserai |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228134236/https://central.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2020/08/10/feature-01 |url-status=live }} and Latvia,{{cite news |date=1 September 2014 |title=Latvians claimed among pro-Russia volunteers in Ukraine |url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/latvians-claimed-among-pro-russia-volunteers-in-ukraine.a96674/ |work= |location=Public Broadcasting of Latvia |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228140444/https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/latvians-claimed-among-pro-russia-volunteers-in-ukraine.a96674/ |url-status=live }} as well as from pro-Russian breakaway regions such as Abkhazia,{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2 April 2022 |title=Abkhaz, S. Ossetian Volunteer Fighters Killed in Donbas |url=https://civil.ge/archives/483358 |work= |location=Civil,ge |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626054654/https://civil.ge/archives/483358 |url-status=live }} South Ossetia{{cite news |date=12 December 2014 |title=South Ossetian volunteers return from Donetsk and Luhansk |url=https://en.vestikavkaza.ru/news/politics/63284.html |work= |location=Vestnik Kavkaza |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228134237/https://en.vestikavkaza.ru/news/politics/63284.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Mandaria |first=Tornike |date=29 March 2022 |title=South Ossetian troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine |url=https://eurasianet.org/south-ossetian-troops-fighting-for-russia-in-ukraine |work= |location=EurasiaNet |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922170406/https://eurasianet.org/south-ossetian-troops-fighting-for-russia-in-ukraine |url-status=live }} and Transnistria.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=14 April 2022 |title=Moldova, Ukraine accuse Russia of recruiting fighters in Transnistria |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/moldova-ukraine-accuse-russia-of-recruiting-fighters-in-transnistria |work= |location=Daily Sabah |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819230001/https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/moldova-ukraine-accuse-russia-of-recruiting-fighters-in-transnistria |url-status=live }} Some have fought as volunteers due to being members of Russian diaspora or ideological reasons, while others are mercenaries allegedly hired by the Russian government.

Prior to its open involvement in 2022, especially during the first peak of the war in Donbas between 2014 and 2015, Russia had previously tried to deny any formal intervention in Ukraine and portrayed Russian forces in the country as either part of local forces{{cite news |date=26 February 2019 |last=Schreck |first=Carl |title=Ukraine crisis: 'Thousands of Russians' fighting in east |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/from-not-us-to-why-hide-it-how-russia-denied-its-crimea-invasion-then-admitted-it/29791806.html |work= |location=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=30 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030093535/https://www.rferl.org/a/from-not-us-to-why-hide-it-how-russia-denied-its-crimea-invasion-then-admitted-it/29791806.html |url-status=live }} or Russian citizens voluntarily fighting in the country.{{cite news |date=28 August 2014 |title=Ukraine crisis: 'Thousands of Russians' fighting in east |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28963310 |work= |location=British Broadcasting Company |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228114943/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28963310 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=22 March 2018 |title='Wagner Group': the mercenaries serving Putin in Syria |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20180322-wagner-group-mercenaries-serving-putin-syria |work= |location=France24 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305215927/https://www.france24.com/en/20180322-wagner-group-mercenaries-serving-putin-syria |url-status=live }} These units have been referred as "little green men" by Western and Ukrainian media and as "polite people" by Russian media.{{cite news |date=11 March 2014 |last=Shevchenko |first=Vitaly |title="Little green men" or "Russian invaders"? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26532154 |work= |location=British Broadcasting Company |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228113642/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26532154 |url-status=live }} The Russian government-supported private military company Wagner Group, largely composed of former Soviet, Eastern European and Syrian soldiers, is deployed in Ukraine to secure Russian interests{{vague|date=August 2022}} while maintaining the deniability of formal Russian involvement.{{cite journal |last=Marten |first=Kimberly |date=26 March 2019 |title=Russia's use of semi-state security forces: the case of the Wagner Group |journal=Post-Soviet Affairs |volume=35 |issue=3 |pages=181–204 |doi= 10.1080/1060586X.2019.1591142|s2cid=159110194 |doi-access=free }}

Outside of Russian forces which have been described as volunteers or unrelated to the Russian government to maintain deniability, various Russian individuals and groups have joined separatist forces in Donbas.{{cite news |date=1 September 2014 |last=Jackson |first=Patrick |title=Ukraine war pulls in foreign fighters |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28951324 |work= |location=British Broadcasting Company |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228134234/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28951324 |url-status=live }} These have included Cossacks,{{cite news |date=29 March 2014 |last=Kiley |first=Sam |title=Russian Cossacks Ready For Ukraine 'Rescue' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/russian-cossacks-ready-for-ukraine-rescue-10411690 |work= |location=Sky News |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228123744/https://news.sky.com/story/russian-cossacks-ready-for-ukraine-rescue-10411690 |url-status=live }} the pro-Putin National Liberation Movement,{{cite news |date=20 January 2021 |last=Ashimov |first=Aydar |title=Russian National Liberation Movement stokes anxiety in Kazakhstan |url=https://central.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2021/01/20/feature-01 |work= |location=Caravanserai |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228095728/https://central.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2021/01/20/feature-01 |url-status=live }} the neo-Nazi Russian National Unity,{{cite news |date=1 September 2014 |last=Mezzofiore |first=Gianluca |title=Ukraine Crisis: Who Are the Russian Neo-Nazi Groups Fighting with Separatists? |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-crisis-who-are-russian-neo-nazi-groups-fighting-separatists-1463489 |work= |location=International Business Times |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228184323/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-crisis-who-are-russian-neo-nazi-groups-fighting-separatists-1463489 |url-status=live }} the National Bolshevik Other Russia party{{cite news |date=29 September 2020 |last=Semyonov |first=Dmitry |title=Russia's national bolshevik flees to Lithuania: war in Donbass was the turning point |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1241677/russia-s-national-bolshevik-flees-to-lithuania-war-in-donbass-was-the-turning-point |work= |location=Lithuanian National Radio and Television |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228123744/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1241677/russia-s-national-bolshevik-flees-to-lithuania-war-in-donbass-was-the-turning-point |url-status=live }} and left-wing activists.{{cite news |date=22 December 2014 |last=Luhn |first=Alec |title=The People's Court of Eastern Ukraine |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/peoples-court-eastern-ukraine/ |work= |location=The Nation |access-date=28 February 2022}} Non-Slavic ethnic minorities have been among the foreign fighters, including North Ossetians, Ingush,{{cite news |date=12 September 2014 |last=Avedissian |first=Karena |title=North Caucasians' Sad, Paradoxical Fight in Eastern Ukraine |url=https://globalvoices.org/2014/09/12/russia-north-caucasus-chechens-ukraine-fight/ |work= |location=Global Voices |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228140442/https://globalvoices.org/2014/09/12/russia-north-caucasus-chechens-ukraine-fight/ |url-status=live }} and Chechens.

Most foreign fighters from countries outside the former Soviet Union are from Europe. According to a report by Polish security expert Kacper Rękawek for the Polish Institute of International Affairs published in 2015, around a hundred Germans, a hundred Serbs, and thirty Hungarians are fighting for pro-Russian forces in Donbas.{{cite news |last=Barber |first=Tony |date=22 April 2015 |title=Ukraine conflict attracts foreign fighters – on both sides |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ceccfcb1-3335-3497-ac53-759bcff7a4e2 |work= |location=The Financial Times |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228114943/https://www.ft.com/content/ceccfcb1-3335-3497-ac53-759bcff7a4e2 |url-status=live }}

{{See also|India and the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

In December 2023, the government of Nepal revealed that six of its citizens had been killed in Ukraine fighting for Russian forces and urged Russia to stop recruiting young men from the country to fight in its army. Nepal's ambassador to Russia claimed around 150-200 Nepali nationals have been fighting for Russia.{{Cite news |date=7 December 2023 |title=Nepal: Twelve arrested for smuggling Nepalis into Russian army |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67635359 |access-date=19 December 2023}} In early January 2024, Nepal stopped issuing permits for its citizens to work in Russia or Ukraine after 10 of its citizens were killed fighting in Russia's army.{{Cite news |last=Roth |first=Andrew |date=5 January 2024 |title=Nepal bans citizens from working in Russia or Ukraine after deaths in military |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/05/nepal-bans-citizens-from-working-in-russia-or-ukraine-after-deaths-in-military |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=5 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105183759/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/05/nepal-bans-citizens-from-working-in-russia-or-ukraine-after-deaths-in-military |url-status=live }} The number of Nepalis killed in Ukraine is officially 12 but could be as high as 19.{{Cite news |last1=Ellis-Petersen |first1=Hannah |last2=Hassan |first2=Aakash |date=7 March 2024 |title='He had no idea he was being sent to a war zone': the Indian and Nepali men on frontlines in Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/07/he-had-no-idea-he-was-being-sent-to-a-war-zone-the-indian-and-nepalese-men-on-frontlines-in-ukraine |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In addition, Nepali foreign minister Narayan Prakash Saud said that as of December 2023, four Nepali men had been taken prisoner by the Ukrainian army, and about 100 were missing or injured.{{cite web | last1=Yadav | first1=Shalu | last2=Bhandari | first2=Rajneesh | title=Nepal wants its men back from Russia's war in Ukraine after deaths on the front | website=NPR | date=27 January 2024 | url=https://www.npr.org/2024/01/27/1226170192/russia-ukraine-war-nepal-soldiers-killed | access-date=28 February 2024}}{{cite web | last=Roth | first=Andrew | title=Nepal bans citizens from working in Russia or Ukraine after deaths in military | website=the Guardian | date=5 January 2024 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/05/nepal-bans-citizens-from-working-in-russia-or-ukraine-after-deaths-in-military | access-date=28 February 2024}}

A number of Indian nationals were reportedly 'duped' into fighting in Russia's army after being promised other jobs, admissions to "dubious private universities" and "free discounted visa extensions" within Russia,{{Cite news |date=26 February 2024 |title=Ukraine war: Indians 'duped' by agents into fighting for Russia |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-68366861 |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} but were instead sent to the front lines. The identities of at least two Indian nationals expecting to work as "helpers" have been confirmed killed fighting at the front in Ukraine. In March 2024, India said it had uncovered a "major human trafficking network" which lured young men to Russia with the promise of jobs only to force them to fight in the war.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-warns-against-offers-of-jobs-with-russian-army/article67929947.ece|title=Centre warns against offers of jobs with Russian Army|work=The Hindu|date=8 March 2024 }}{{cite web | last=Sakshi Dayal | first=Krishn Kaushik | title=India says it uncovers trafficking racket duping people into fighting for Russia in Ukraine | website=Reuters | date=8 March 2024 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india-says-it-busts-trafficking-racket-duping-people-into-fighting-russia-2024-03-08/ | access-date=4 May 2024}}

As of January 2025, 12 Indian nationals were killed and another 16 missing while fighting for Russia in Ukraine.{{Cite news|title=12 Indians Fighting For Russian Army In Ukraine Killed, 16 Missing: Centre|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/12-indians-fighting-for-russia-killed-so-far-16-missing-centre-7496322|access-date=17 January 2025|website=NDTV}}

{{See also|China and the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

On 8 April 2025, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian troops had captured two Chinese nationals that were fighting in the ranks of the Russian military against Ukraine. According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian troops had clashed with six Chinese soldiers near the villages Bilohorivka and Tarasivka in Donetsk Oblast. Zelenskyy also said that there are "much more" Chinese citizens in Russian units.{{cite web | last=Zadorozhnyy | first=Tim | title=Ukraine captured 2 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, Zelensky says | website=The Kyiv Independent | date=8 April 2025 | url=https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-captured-2-chinese-nationals-fighting-for-russia-zelensky-says/ | access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite web | last=Sabbagh | first=Dan | title=Two Chinese nationals caught fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Zelenskyy says | website=The Guardian | date=8 April 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/08/two-chinese-nationals-caught-fighting-for-russia-in-ukraine-zelenskyy-says | access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite web | title=Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, Zelenskyy says | website=Al Jazeera | date=8 April 2025 | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/8/ukraine-captures-two-chinese-nationals-fighting-for-russia-zelenskyy-says | access-date=8 April 2025}}

A significant number of Serbian citizens and ethnic Serbs from neighbouring countries such as Bosnia (specifically the autonomous Republika Srpska) and Montenegro have joined to fight for pro-Russian forces in Donbas, having been described by external observers and the DPR/LPR authorities as one of the largest components of foreign fighters.{{cite news |date=16 August 2014 |title=Ukraine crisis: Rebel fighters 'trained in Russia' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28817347 |work= |location=British Broadcasting Company |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228172949/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28817347 |url-status=live }} Many of the Serb fighters are veterans of the Yugoslav Wars. Serbian units within the pro-Russian forces include the International Brigade, Seventh Brigade, Serbian-Hussar Regiment, Ural Unit, First Slavic Unit, Batman Unit, Rezanj Unit{{cite news |date=13 December 2018 |last=Zivanovic |first=Maja |title=Donbass Brothers: How Serbian Fighters Were Deployed in Ukraine |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2018/12/13/donbass-brothers-how-serbian-fighters-were-deployed-in-ukraine-12-12-2018/ |work= |location=Balkan Insights |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320163536/https://balkaninsight.com/2018/12/13/donbass-brothers-how-serbian-fighters-were-deployed-in-ukraine-12-12-2018/ |url-status=live }} and the Jovan Šević Detachment.{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/ru/%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D1%87%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%8E%D1%8E%D1%82-%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%B5-%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B/a-17855080|title=For what are fighting the Serbian Chetniks in eastern Ukraine?|work=DW.DE|access-date=28 February 2022|archive-date=3 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203153722/http://www.dw.com/ru/%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D1%87%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%8E%D1%8E%D1%82-%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%B5-%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B/a-17855080|url-status=live}}

Historical links with Russia, pan-Slavism and religious affinity have been regarded as a major factor in Serbs joining the pro-Russian forces, although many are mercenaries. Many of the fighters identify as Chetniks. In January 2024, Serbian DPR fighter Dejan Berich spoke of abuse of Serbian recruits with Russian paratroopers referring to the Serbs as ″gypsies″ and sending them on assaults with two or three magazines of ammunition, ordering them to obtain weapons in the battlefield.{{cite web | title=Воюющие за ВС РФ сербы пожаловались Путину, что российские военные называют их цыганами, посылают в штурм без оружия, избивают и предлагают сознаться в шпионаже | trans-title=The Serbs fighting for the Russian Armed Forces complained to Putin that the Russian military called them gypsies, sent them into an assault without weapons, beat them and asked them to confess to espionage | website=istories.media | date=8 January 2024 | url=https://istories.media/news/2024/01/08/voyuyushchie-za-vs-rf-serbi-pozhalovalis-putinu-chto-rossiiskie-voennie-nazivayut-ikh-tsiganami-posilayut-v-shturm-bez-oruzhiya-izbivayut-i-predlagayut-soznatsya-v-shpionazhe/ | language=ru | access-date=8 January 2024 | archive-date=8 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108171025/https://istories.media/news/2024/01/08/voyuyushchie-za-vs-rf-serbi-pozhalovalis-putinu-chto-rossiiskie-voennie-nazivayut-ikh-tsiganami-posilayut-v-shturm-bez-oruzhiya-izbivayut-i-predlagayut-soznatsya-v-shpionazhe/ | url-status=live }}

Bratislav Živković, a Serbian mercenary and leader of the Chetniks, a Serbian extremist group, was killed in Ukraine in January 2025. In the war, he had organized Serbian mercenaries entering eastern Ukraine and supported the efforts of pro-Russian separatists.{{cite web | last=Islami | first=Donjeta | title=The Serbian Chetnik who was erecting barricades in the north of Kosovo is killed in Ukraine | website=Insajderi | date=3 January 2025 | url=https://insajderi.org/en/Serbian-Chetnik-who-was-erecting-barricades-in-the-north-of-Kosovo-is-killed-in-Ukraine/ | access-date=8 January 2025}}

Left-wing volunteers have gone to fight for the pro-Russian forces, accusing the Ukrainian government of being a "fascist state" and seeking to engage in an "anti-fascist struggle". However, these leftist volunteers have co-operated with far-right groups in Donbas. Among the initial volunteers were members of the Communist Party of Ukraine, as well as some members of trade unions and labor organizations opposed to the new government that emerged after the Euromaidan Ukrainian Revolution.{{Cite web |last1=Redazione |last2=Redazione |date=26 July 2015 |title=VIDEO L'impatto (solo) mediatico dei fascisti nel Donbass |url=https://www.popoffquotidiano.it/2015/07/26/video-limpatto-solo-mediatico-dei-fascisti-nel-donbass/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=Popoff Quotidiano |language=it-IT |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123205915/https://www.popoffquotidiano.it/2015/07/26/video-limpatto-solo-mediatico-dei-fascisti-nel-donbass/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |last=Laryš |first=Martin |date=20 October 2022 |title=Double Marginalisation of the Communist Party: Ukraine's Decommunisation and the Russian-Backed Rebellion in Donbas |url=https://www.cejiss.org/double-marginalisation-of-the-communist-party-ukraine-s-decommunisation-and-the-russian-backed-rebellion-in-donbas |journal=Central European Journal of International and Security Studies |volume=16 |issue=4 |language=en |doi=10.51870/NTQF5668 |doi-access=free |access-date=14 February 2023 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331034949/https://cejiss.org/double-marginalisation-of-the-communist-party-ukraine-s-decommunisation-and-the-russian-backed-rebellion-in-donbas |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Interfax-Ukraine |date=26 August 2014 |title=Ukraine Communists deny financing terrorism, accuse Security Service chief of lying - Aug. 26, 2014 |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/ukraine-communists-deny-financing-terrorism-accuse-security-service-chief-of-lying-362028.html |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=Kyiv Post |archive-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709004527/https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/ukraine-communists-deny-financing-terrorism-accuse-security-service-chief-of-lying-362028.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=The Russian Statelets in the Donbas Are No "People's Republics" |url=https://jacobin.com/2022/03/donbas-donetsk-luhansk-ukraine-russia-putin |access-date=29 November 2022 |website=jacobin.com |language=en-US |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930173734/https://jacobin.com/2022/03/donbas-donetsk-luhansk-ukraine-russia-putin |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Janos Chiala,Tali |title=The young miners of Donbass |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/12/23/the-young-miners-of-donbass |access-date=29 November 2022 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129164832/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/12/23/the-young-miners-of-donbass |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=12 December 2014 |title=Miners swell rebel ranks in east Ukraine as pits close |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-miners-idAFKBN0JQ13120141212 |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129164831/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-miners-idAFKBN0JQ13120141212 |url-status=live }}

A small number of Spanish socialists travelled to Ukraine to fight for the separatists, with some explaining they were "repaying the favour" to Russia for the USSR's support to Republicans during the Spanish Civil War.{{Cite web |date=29 January 2022 |title=Los españoles dispuestos a morir por Putin: 'antifas' voluntarios en batallones prorrusos de Ucrania |url=https://www.elespanol.com/reportajes/20220129/espanoles-dispuestos-putin-voluntarios-batallones-prorrusos-ucrania/645935522_0.html |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=El Español |language=es |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123205915/https://www.elespanol.com/reportajes/20220129/espanoles-dispuestos-putin-voluntarios-batallones-prorrusos-ucrania/645935522_0.html |url-status=live }} They were also enlisting in solidarity with those who died in the Unions House fire.{{Cite web |title=Así fue la matanza en la Casa de los Sindicatos de Odessa (vídeo) |url=https://www.publico.es/internacional/matanza-casa-sindicatos-odessa-video.html |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=www.publico.es |date=3 May 2014 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123205913/https://www.publico.es/internacional/matanza-casa-sindicatos-odessa-video.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Ramiro |date=9 May 2014 |title=Convocan actos en varias ciudades españolas contra la masacre en Odessa |url=https://www.elciudadano.com/organizacion-social/105335/05/09/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=El Ciudadano |language=es}} Spanish fighters established the 'Carlos Palomino International Brigade', which fought under the flag of the Second Spanish Republic. In 2015, it reportedly had less than ten members.{{cite web |date=7 September 2014 |title=Un grupo de españoles resucitan las Brigadas Internacionales y acuden a Ucrania a combatir |trans-title=A group of Spaniards resuscitate the International Brigades and go to Ukraine to fight |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-grupo-espanoles-resucitan-brigadas-internacionales-acuden-ucrania-combatir-guerra-hecho-20140907121638.html |access-date=5 July 2015 |publisher=Europapress |language=es |archive-date=28 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928163534/http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-grupo-espanoles-resucitan-brigadas-internacionales-acuden-ucrania-combatir-guerra-hecho-20140907121638.html |url-status=live }} Other examples include the 'DKO' (Volunteer Communist Unit) and the Interunit, both composed of foreign communist volunteers.{{cite web |script-title=ru:Координационный центр помощи Новороссии |trans-title=Coordinational Centre for the assistance of Novorossia |url=http://kcpn.info/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421032601/http://kcpn.info/ |archive-date=21 April 2015 |access-date=5 January 2015 |publisher=kcpn.info/ |language=ru}}{{Cite web |author1=Susan Witt-Stahl |date=17 September 2016 |title=Ucraina, un reportage sulla Brigata Fantasma |url=https://contropiano.org/documenti/2016/09/17/ucraina-un-reportage-sulla-brigata-fantasma-083586 |website=contropiano.org |language=it |access-date=15 February 2023 |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320142632/https://contropiano.org/documenti/2016/09/17/ucraina-un-reportage-sulla-brigata-fantasma-083586 |url-status=live }}

Latvian communist of Ugandan and Russian descent Beness Aijo was arrested in Donetsk in 2014 for fighting with separatist forces and the National Bolshevik Interbrigades.[http://news2night.com/en/news/portal-v-donetske-arestovan-ajo-benes#.UzxCClfcxHU In Donetsk arrested Ayo Benes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608070443/http://news2night.com/en/news/portal-v-donetske-arestovan-ajo-benes#.UzxCClfcxHU |date=8 June 2014 }}. News2Night. Retrieved on 1 May 2014.[https://news.pn/en/public/99968 Extremists from the Crimea get over to Donetsk: on meeting for Yanukovych Aksenov's black "fighter"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312014941/https://news.pn/en/public/99968 |date=12 March 2016 }}. News.pn (22 March 2014). Retrieved on 1 May 2014. A female member of the Israeli Communist Party had also reportedly gone to fight for the separatists in 2015.{{cite web |last=Sokol |first=Sam |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/israeli-communist-joins-ukrainian-rebels-to-fight-fascists-and-neo-nazis-412785 |title=Israeli communist joins Ukrainian rebels to fight 'fascists and neo-Nazis' |date=20 August 2015 |trans-title=A group of Spaniards resuscitate the International Brigades and go to Ukraine to fight |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228173934/https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/israeli-communist-joins-ukrainian-rebels-to-fight-fascists-and-neo-nazis-412785 |url-status=live }}

Far-right foreign fighters from Europe and to a lesser extent North America have fought alongside the pro-Russian separatists in Donbas, including white nationalists, neo-Nazis, fascists and Christian extremists. Motivations for these fighters have included the belief that they are fighting America and Western interests and that Vladimir Putin is a bulwark for traditional white European values who they must support against the decadent West.{{cite web|url=https://sciencenorway.no/conflict-foreign-fighters-terrorism/this-is-where-neo-nazi-foreign-fighters-fought-alongside-communists/1853856|last=Hagel|first=Sebastian|title=This is where Neo-Nazi foreign fighters fought alongside communists|date=7 September 2014|trans-title=A group of Spaniards resuscitate the International Brigades and go to Ukraine to fight|language=es|publisher=Sciencenorway.no|access-date=28 February 2022|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228172952/https://sciencenorway.no/conflict-foreign-fighters-terrorism/this-is-where-neo-nazi-foreign-fighters-fought-alongside-communists/1853856|url-status=live}}

One notable far-right group is the French organisation Continental Unity, which has been accused of recruiting far-right extremists across Europe to come and fight in Donbas. Other far-right groups include the Bulgarian nationalist Orthodox Dawn Battalion{{cite web|url=http://www.blitz.bg/news/article/253466|title="Православна зора" праща бойна група в Украйна срещу Мамоническия Запад|date=2 March 2014|access-date=28 February 2022|archive-date=2 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702120432/http://www.blitz.bg/news/article/253466|url-status=live}} and the Hungarian nationalist Legion of Saint Istvan.{{cite news|url=http://www.novorosinform.org/news/id/60|script-title=ru:Легион Святого Иштвана отправит добровольцев в Новороссию|date=1 June 2014|publisher=Информационное агентство «Новороссия»|language=ru|access-date=21 February 2015|archive-date=21 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221145201/http://www.novorosinform.org/news/id/60|url-status=live}}

Finnish far-right and neo-Nazi groups have been recruited for the war in Ukraine by local far-right pro-Russian parties.{{Cite web|title=Itä-Ukrainassa Venäjän puolesta taistelleet suomalaiset kehuskelevat kokemuksillaan – muualla Euroopassa vierastaistelijoita on tuomittu rikoksista|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12153718|work=Finnish Broadcasting Company|date=12 January 2022|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428224718/https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12153718|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Wednesday's papers: Neo-nazi training, employment discrimination, fighting swans|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-11393801|work=Finnish Broadcasting Company|date=12 January 2022|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=24 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324233030/https://yle.fi/news/3-11393801|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Finnish Neo-Nazis attend paramilitary trainings in Russia|url=https://eurojewcong.org/news/communities-news/finland/finnish-neo-nazis-attend-paramilitary-trainings-in-russia/|work=European Jewish Congress|date=12 January 2022|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814203811/https://eurojewcong.org/news/communities-news/finland/finnish-neo-nazis-attend-paramilitary-trainings-in-russia/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Suomen uusnatsit hankkivat nyt oppia Venäjältä: järjestön koulutuskeskus järjestää haulikko- ja pistooliammuntaa, "partisaanikursseja" ja kieltää kiroilun|url=https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000006535647.html|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=12 January 2022|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520200607/https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000006535647.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2021/11/29/some-20-finns-fought-against-ukraine-in-donbas-facing-no-consequences-in-finland-media/|title=Some 20 Finns fought against Ukraine in Donbas, facing no consequences in Finland – media|work=Euromaidan Press|date=13 May 2024|quote=“Johan Backman says that he continues to help Finns who have gone to Eastern Ukraine to fight. He does not feel responsible for the people he recruits.” Johan Bäckman is an important central figure for Finnish fighters, who had organized their travel from Finland to the Donbas and engaged them in illegal activities there. Janus Kostia Putkonen arrived in Donbas from Moscow via Rostov, southern Russia, in March 2015. }}

The Ukrainian conflict has shattered the Italian far right and while some CasaPound Italia militants are volunteers in the Ukrainian ranks alongside the Azov battalion with which they have a long-standing collaboration, other radical far-right militants are aligned with the pro-Russian separatist militias of Donbas. In particular, the latter fight together with volunteers with a far-left political background {{cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19434472.2023.2206468|last=Guerra|first=Nicola|title=The Russia-Ukraine war has shattered the Italian far right|journal=Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression|date=10 May 2023|pages=1–21|trans-title=The Russia-Ukraine war has shattered the Italian far right|language=en|publisher=Taylor & Francis|doi=10.1080/19434472.2023.2206468|s2cid=258645197|access-date=24 May 2023|archive-date=24 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524112235/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19434472.2023.2206468|url-status=live}}

Following its 2022 offensive, US and Ukrainian intelligence have alleged that Russia has sought to hire and already deployed fighters from forces it supports in places such as Syria,{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/07/russia-trying-to-recruit-syrians-to-fight-in-ukraine-says-pentagon |last=Borger |first=Julian |title=Russia trying to recruit Syrians to fight in Ukraine, says Pentagon |date=7 March 2022 |work=The Guardian |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=4 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804053927/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/07/russia-trying-to-recruit-syrians-to-fight-in-ukraine-says-pentagon |url-status=live }} Libya{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-701150|last=Starr|first=Michael|date=5 May 2022|title=Russia to bring Libyan, Serbian mercenaries to Ukraine - Ukrainian sources|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=19 August 2022|archive-date=16 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816034552/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-701150|url-status=live}} and the Central African Republic under the command of the Wagner Group private military forces.{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/central-african-republic-officials-warn-notorious-union-for-peace-rebels-to-join-putins-war-in-ukraine |last=Obaji Jr. |first=Philip |title=Insiders Warn Notorious Foreign Rebels to Fight With Russia in Ukraine |date=24 March 2022 |publisher=The Daily Beast |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819222844/https://www.thedailybeast.com/central-african-republic-officials-warn-notorious-union-for-peace-rebels-to-join-putins-war-in-ukraine |url-status=live }} Fighters have reportedly included those from the pro-Syrian government National Defence Forces,{{cite web |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/will-russia-deploy-syrian-fighters-ukraine |last=Waters |first=Gregory |title=Will Russia deploy Syrian fighters to Ukraine? |date=16 March 2022 |publisher=Middle East Institute |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920140835/https://www.mei.edu/publications/will-russia-deploy-syrian-fighters-ukraine |url-status=live }} Central African Union of Peace and the pro-Khalifa Haftar Libyan National Army.{{cite web|url=https://africatimes.com/2022/03/21/ukraine-says-libyas-haftar-is-sending-fighters-to-support-russia/ |last= |first= |title=Ukraine says Libya's Haftar is sending fighters to support Russia |date=21 March 2022 |publisher=Africa Times |access-date=19 August 2022}} The Libyan National Army denied any of its fighters were fighting for Russia in Ukraine.{{cite web |url=https://libyaalahrar.net/haftar-forces-spokesman-denies-sending-libyan-mercenaries-to-fight-alongside-russia/ |last=Assad |first=Abdulkader |title=Haftar forces' spokesman denies sending Libyan mercenaries to fight alongside Russia |date=24 March 2022 |publisher=Libya Alahrar |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819222838/https://libyaalahrar.net/haftar-forces-spokesman-denies-sending-libyan-mercenaries-to-fight-alongside-russia/ |url-status=live }}

The Iran-aligned Lebanese political party Hezbollah denied sending fighters to Ukraine after the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces accused some of their members of being among 1,000 Syrian mercenaries allegedly hired to fight in Ukraine.{{cite web |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2022/03/18/Hezbollah-denies-sending-fighters-to-Ukraine-in-support-of-Russian-invasion |last=Haboush |first=Joseph |title=Hezbollah denies sending fighters to Ukraine in support of Russian invasion |date=18 March 2022 |publisher=Alarabiya News |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328200035/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2022/03/18/Hezbollah-denies-sending-fighters-to-Ukraine-in-support-of-Russian-invasion |url-status=live }}

Turkish media and Russian-American journalist Vera Mironova alleged that members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party and the People's Defense Units (both affiliated with the Kurdistan Communities Union) were fighting as mercenaries for Russian forces.{{cite web |url=https://www.trtworld.com/europe/ypg-pkk-terror-group-reportedly-fighting-alongside-russia-in-ukraine-55642 |last= |first= |title=YPG/PKK terror group reportedly fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine |date=19 March 2022 |publisher=TRT World |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819231504/https://www.trtworld.com/europe/ypg-pkk-terror-group-reportedly-fighting-alongside-russia-in-ukraine-55642 |url-status=live }}

On 4 October, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 5 Syrian Arab Army soldiers of the 25th Special Mission Forces Division had been killed fighting for Russia during the 2022 Ukrainian southern counteroffensive.{{cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/270217/|title=Russia-Ukraine war {{!}} Five Syrian fighters of Special Task Forces of 25th Division killed on Kherson front|date=4 October 2022|work=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|access-date=4 October 2022|archive-date=6 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006004040/https://www.syriahr.com/en/270217/|url-status=live}}

In January 2023, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that just under 2000 soldiers of the Syrian Arab Army, specifically the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, had been deployed to fight on behalf of Russia in Ukraine. The SOHR had obtained a document allegedly from the Syrian Government, explaining the Syrian Army's budget and salaries affecting Syrian soldiers in Ukraine.{{cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/285134/|title=Russian-Ukraine war {{!}} Confidential document, obtained by SOHR, confirming 25th Division participation in special task alongside Russia|date=18 January 2022|work=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|access-date=18 January 2022|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118112537/https://www.syriahr.com/en/285134/|url-status=live}}

It was widely reported in October 2022 that the Wagner Group had attempted to recruit former members of the American-trained Afghan National Army Commando Corps which became defunct after the victory of the Taliban insurgency in August 2021.{{cite news |last1=O’Donnell |first1=Lynne |title=Russia's Recruiting Afghan Commandos |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/10/25/afghanistan-russia-ukraine-military-recruitment-putin-taliban/ |access-date=29 January 2023 |publisher=Foreign Policy |date=25 October 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214224048/https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/10/25/afghanistan-russia-ukraine-military-recruitment-putin-taliban/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Russia recruiting Afghan special forces who fought with US to fight in Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/31/afghan-special-forces-russia-ukraine-recruitment |access-date=29 January 2023 |agency=Associated Press |work=The Guardian |date=31 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129122110/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/31/afghan-special-forces-russia-ukraine-recruitment |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Fazl-e-Haider |first1=Syed |title=Why Is Russia Recruiting Former Afghan Soldiers for Its War Against Ukraine? |url=https://jamestown.org/program/why-is-russia-recruiting-former-afghan-soldiers-for-its-war-against-ukraine/ |access-date=29 January 2023 |work=Eurasia Daily Monitor |publisher=Jamestown Foundation |date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301055023/https://jamestown.org/program/why-is-russia-recruiting-former-afghan-soldiers-for-its-war-against-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}

In June 2024, Bloomberg reported that Russia was detaining and forcing Africans on work visas to decide between deportation or fighting in the war.{{cite web | last1=Nardelli | first1=Alberto | last2=Wickham | first2=Alex | last3=Verbianyi | first3=Volodymyr | title=Russia Is Sending Young Africans to Die in Its War Against Ukraine | website=Bloomberg.com | date=9 June 2024 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-09/russia-ukraine-war-africans-forced-to-fight-and-die-for-the-kremlin?embedded-checkout=true | access-date=24 July 2024}}

On 23 July 2024, Tokyo reported the death of a Japanese national, an ex-JGSDF soldier who was last stationed in Osaka, was reportedly killed on 3 June.{{cite news | url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240723/p2g/00m/0na/032000c | title=Japan urges citizens not to join Russia-Ukraine war after man's death | newspaper=Mainichi Daily News | date=23 July 2024 }}

Cuban mercenaries are reported to have participated in the conflict.{{cite news |last=Hartog |first=Eva |date=25 September 2023 |title=Deal 'with the devil': Meet the Cubans who've joined Russia's war on Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/cuban-mercenaries-join-russian-army-ukraine-war/ |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=POLITICO}}

A number of African students or former students are known to have been recruited for military service on the Russian side.{{cite news |last1=Osipian |first1=Ararat |title=Why are Russian universities pushing African students to fight in Ukraine? |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/why-are-russian-universities-pushing-african-students-fight-ukraine |access-date=30 January 2023 |publisher=Times Higher Education |date=12 December 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130210021/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/why-are-russian-universities-pushing-african-students-fight-ukraine |url-status=live }} Jean-Claude Sangwa, a student from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who had formerly studied in Rostov, was reported to have enlisted in Luhansk People's Militia in late 2021 alongside two other expatriates from the DRC or Central African Republic.{{cite news |last1=Sauer |first1=Pjotr |title=The Congolese student fighting with pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/08/the-congolese-student-fighting-with-pro-russia-separatists-in-ukraine |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=8 June 2022 |language=en |archive-date=4 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204215428/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/08/the-congolese-student-fighting-with-pro-russia-separatists-in-ukraine |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=War in Ukraine: The Congolese in the ranks of the pro-Russian militia in Luhansk |url=https://observers.france24.com/en/europe/20220613-war-in-ukraine-the-congolese-in-the-ranks-of-the-pro-russian-militia-in-luhansk |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=The Observers |publisher=France24 |date=9 June 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130205814/https://observers.france24.com/en/europe/20220613-war-in-ukraine-the-congolese-in-the-ranks-of-the-pro-russian-militia-in-luhansk |url-status=live }}

A number of other African former students are known to have been recruited by the Wagner Group after receiving criminal convictions while in Russia. Lemekani Nathan Nyirenda, a Zambian former student at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute who had been sentenced to a nine-and-a-half year jail term, was killed while fighting for the Wagner Group in September 2022.{{cite news |last1=Princewill |first1=Nimi |title=Zambian student who died fighting for Russia in Ukraine laid to rest |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/25/africa/lemekani-nyirenda-buried-zambia-intl/index.html |access-date=30 January 2023 |publisher=CNN |date=25 January 2023 |language=en |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129093127/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/25/africa/lemekani-nyirenda-buried-zambia-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} Nemes Tarimo, a Tanzanian former student at Moscow Technological University who had previously received a seven-year jail term, was killed in similar circumstances in October 2022.

{{Expand section|date=August 2022}}

Similarly to their opponents, many foreign fighters from the former Soviet Union have fought in the Russo-Ukrainian War for the Ukrainian side. These have included fighters from Armenia,{{cite news |date=29 April 2018 |last=Vardy |first=Emma |title=The Briton fighting 'other people's wars' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43899959 |work= |location=British Broadcasting Company |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819164846/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43899959 |url-status=live }} Azerbaijan, the Baltic states, Belarus and Georgia.{{cite journal |last=Marten |first=Kimberly |date=26 June 2019 |title=Georgian Foreign Fighters in the Conflict in Eastern Ukraine, 2014–2017 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13518046.2019.1618583?journalCode=fslv20 |journal=The Journal of Slavic Military Studies |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=159–177 |doi=10.1080/13518046.2019.1618583 |s2cid=198675061 |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819165020/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13518046.2019.1618583?journalCode=fslv20 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=19 March 2015 |last= |first= |title=Georgian fighters defy Russia in Ukraine |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/georgian-fighters-defy-russia-in-ukraine/65609 |work= |location=Anadolu Agency |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819165021/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/georgian-fighters-defy-russia-in-ukraine/65609 |url-status=live }} Exiled Chechens opposed to Ramzan Kadyrov and some Russian dissidents{{cite news |date=8 April 2022 |last=Ferris-Rotman |first=Amie |title=The Russians fighting Putin in Ukraine |url=https://time.com/6165422/russians-in-ukraine/ |work= |location=Time |access-date=20 August 2022 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408160703/https://time.com/6165422/russians-in-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} have also taken up arms on behalf of the Ukrainians.

Georgians have been participating in the conflict on the side of Ukraine, since 2014. Large formations such as the Georgian Legion that consist of 1,000 fighters, are mostly made up of Georgian, but also various other nationalities, including British.{{Cite web|title=Russland "versteht nur die Kugel": Georgische Legion kämpft gegen Putins Armee – auch für das eigene Land|date=10 November 2022 |url=https://www.merkur.de/politik/news-georgien-ukraine-russland-krieg-miliz-georgian-legion-putin-kampf-91901416.html|language=de|access-date=7 November 2023|archive-date=7 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107131759/https://www.merkur.de/politik/news-georgien-ukraine-russland-krieg-miliz-georgian-legion-putin-kampf-91901416.html|url-status=live}}

Unofficially, since the launch of Russia's invasion in 2022, an estimated 1.500 Georgians are fighting for Ukraine in various Ukrainian Armed Forces units and the International Legion.{{Cite news|title=ხან მკლავენ, ხან ტყვედ ვარ, არადა, აქ ვარ, ცოცხალი ვარ - ქეთი ექიმი ფრონტის ხაზიდან| work=რადიო თავისუფლება |url=https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/%E1%83%A5%E1%83%94%E1%83%97%E1%83%98-%E1%83%94%E1%83%A5%E1%83%98%E1%83%9B%E1%83%98-%E1%83%A4%E1%83%A0%E1%83%9D%E1%83%9C%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%AE%E1%83%90%E1%83%96%E1%83%98%E1%83%93%E1%83%90%E1%83%9C/32412559.html?fbclid=IwAR126RuqvlfVg4o9o7iU-2PYH6g7F_Cdod__auoTNEqLlvu9ZbbSlPkwr6Y|language=ka|access-date=7 November 2023|archive-date=7 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107131800/https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/%E1%83%A5%E1%83%94%E1%83%97%E1%83%98-%E1%83%94%E1%83%A5%E1%83%98%E1%83%9B%E1%83%98-%E1%83%A4%E1%83%A0%E1%83%9D%E1%83%9C%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%AE%E1%83%90%E1%83%96%E1%83%98%E1%83%93%E1%83%90%E1%83%9C/32412559.html?fbclid=IwAR126RuqvlfVg4o9o7iU-2PYH6g7F_Cdod__auoTNEqLlvu9ZbbSlPkwr6Y|url-status=live}}

Already during the War in Donbas (2014–2022), Belarusians fought alongside Ukraine, forming the Pahonia Detachment and the Tactical group "Belarus".

In spring 2022, it was reported that more than 200 Belarusian citizens have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend Ukraine from the Russian invasion, with another 300 volunteers from Belarus came through Poland.{{Cite web |title=Білоруси будуть здаватися в полон, або порушувати наказ – білорус про можливий наступ на Україну |trans-title=Belarusians will either surrender or disobey the order – a Belarusian on a possible attack on Ukraine |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/5/7328466/ |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=Українська правда |language=uk |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309052151/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/5/7328466/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Беларуская рота добраахвотнікаў ва Украіне запісала зварот да беларусаў і перадала асобнае прывітанне Рыгору Азаронку |trans-title=Belarusian volunteer unit in Ukraine recorded a message for Belarusians with special greetings to Ryhor Azaronak |url=https://nashaniva.com/?c=ar&i=285884 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=Наша Ніва |date=6 March 2022 |language=be |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307222557/https://nashaniva.com/?c=ar&i=285884 |url-status=live }} In July 2023, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that around 450 Belarusians fight for Ukraine.{{Citation |title=Колькі беларускіх добраахвотнікаў ваюе ва Ўкраіне і дзе. Абноўлены гайд па ўсіх фармаваньнях |url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/32490477.html |language=be |access-date=25 September 2022 |archive-date=10 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710160519/https://www.svaboda.org/a/32490477.html |url-status=live }}

In the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Belarusians have created a separate battalion named after Kastuś Kalinoŭski to defend Kyiv.{{Cite news |title=A Volunteer Belarusian battalion is in Kyiv and vows to defend it with their lives |url=https://www.newsrael.com/posts/4zc7zzi6qgu |access-date=15 March 2022 |website=www.newsrael.com |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313004755/https://www.newsrael.com/posts/4zc7zzi6qgu |url-status=live }}{{Citation |title=Some Belarusians join the fight against Russia | date=28 March 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GXAXmxInJc |language=en |access-date=30 March 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331011726/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GXAXmxInJc |url-status=live }} It later transformed into a regiment consisting of two battalions, u UAV unit and a medical company. The Kastus Kalinouski Regiment was also joined by Pavel Shurmei, a former Belarusian Olympic rower and world record holder.{{Cite web |title=Расказваем пра беларускага весляра, які паехаў ваяваць за Украіну |trans-title=We are writing about a Belarusian rower who went to fight for Ukraine |url=https://nashaniva.com/?c=ar&i=285702 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=Наша Ніва |date=3 March 2022 |language=be |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306223200/https://nashaniva.com/?c=ar&i=285702 |url-status=live }}

Another Belarusian volunteer battalion fighting for Ukraine, a part of the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Battalion, was known as the Pahonia Regiment.{{cite web |url=https://www.txtreport.com/news/2022-03-30-another-belarusian-military-unit-announces-formation-for-battles-for-ukraine--this-time-regiment.rynV-1zQq.html |title=Another Belarusian military unit announces formation for battles for Ukraine, this time regiment |date=30 March 2022 |website=txtreport.com |access-date=25 September 2023 |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415181659/https://www.txtreport.com/news/2022-03-30-another-belarusian-military-unit-announces-formation-for-battles-for-ukraine--this-time-regiment.rynV-1zQq.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/understanding-belarus-is-it-putin-s-accomplice-or-a-victim-101648710641070.html | title=Understanding Belarus: Is it Putin's accomplice or a victim? | work=Hindustan Times | date=31 March 2022 | access-date=25 September 2023 | archive-date=3 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503152234/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/understanding-belarus-is-it-putin-s-accomplice-or-a-victim-101648710641070.html | url-status=live }} It ceased to exist in 2023.

Other Belarusian units include the Belarusian Volunteer Corps which includes the Terror Battalion. There are also around 20 Belarusians fighting in the Second International Legion.

In June 2023, Valery Sakhashchyk, effective defence minister of the Belarusian United Transitional Cabinet (a government-in-exile opposed to the de facto government of Alexander Lukashenko) informed about the creation of the 1st separate amphibious assault company "Belarus", which is part of the 79th Air Assault Brigade.{{Cite news |url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/32531257.html |title="Сахашчык сам удзельнічае ў баявых апэрацыях". Баец з новай дэсантнай роты беларусаў расказаў, чым яны займаюцца на Данбасе |newspaper=Радыё Свабода |date=2 August 2023 |access-date=21 September 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802150740/http://www.svaboda.org/a/32531257.html |url-status=live |last1=Гурневіч |first1=Дзьмітры }} The Belarusian assault company is located in the Donetsk direction.{{Cite web |url=https://news.zerkalo.io/life/42131.html |title=Что за новая рота, о которой говорил Валерий Сахащик? Спросили у него |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=21 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928000220/https://news.zerkalo.io/life/42131.html |url-status=live }}

Several other Belarusians are fighting in different Ukrainian military formations as well.{{Cite web |title=За вашу і нашу свабоду. Якія вайсковыя падраздзяленні стварылі беларусы для абароны Украіны |trans-title=For your and our freedom. What military units did the Belarusians create to defend Ukraine? |url=https://belsat.eu/news/13-04-2022-za-vashu-i-nashu-svabodu-yakiya-vajskovyya-padrazdzyalenni-stvaryli-belarusy-dlya-abarony-ukrainy/ |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=belsat.eu |language=be}}

Ajnad al-Kavkaz, a group of Chechen foreign fighters which fights on the side of the Syrian opposition, which is fighting the Russian government in the Syrian civil war, deployed some fighters to fight for the Ukrainian side. Like other Chechen foreign fighter groups across the world, they are motivated by anti-Russian sentiment stemming from the Chechnyan Conflict.{{Cite web |title=Chechen fighters leave Syria to battle Russians in Ukraine - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/10/chechen-fighters-leave-syria-battle-russians-ukraine |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=www.al-monitor.com |language=en |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327103829/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/10/chechen-fighters-leave-syria-battle-russians-ukraine |url-status=live }}

A small number of South Koreans have also volunteered for Ukraine, although they were legally prohibited from doing so, due to concerns that it could cause diplomatic issues for South Korea. Four South Koreans had been convicted for serving in Ukraine by 2023.{{Cite magazine |last=Ewi |first=Koh |date=17 August 2023 |title=Why South Korea Is Prosecuting Its Citizens Who Joined the Fight in Ukraine |url=https://time.com/6305727/south-korea-volunteer-fighter-ukraine-sentenced-rhee-keun/ |access-date=8 October 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013045909/https://time.com/6305727/south-korea-volunteer-fighter-ukraine-sentenced-rhee-keun/ |url-status=live }}

Foreign expats living in Ukraine have also fought in the Ukrainian forces. Brahim Saadoun, a Moroccan national, studied in the country as a foreign student from 2019 and enlisted in the Ukrainian army in 2022. He was captured by Russian forces but released to Morocco in September 2022 in an agreement brokered by Saudi Arabia.{{cite news |title=The Moroccan man sentenced to death for fighting for Ukraine |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2qq0wk2n40o |access-date=24 July 2024 |work=BBC News |date=1 July 2024}}

{{main|International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine}}

Three days after the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced the establishment of the International Legion.{{cite news|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414438-ukraine-creating-international-territorial-defense-legion-zelensky.html|title=Ukraine creating international territorial defense legion - Zelensky|date=27 February 2022|publisher=Ukrinform|language=ru|access-date=19 August 2022|archive-date=21 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821105850/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414438-ukraine-creating-international-territorial-defense-legion-zelensky.html|url-status=live}}

{{Expand section|date=August 2022}}

• Interbrigades
• Pavel Sudoplatov Battalion
• Prizrak Brigade (Unofficially, attracts large numbers of foreign volunteers{{Cite web |date=26 August 2014 |title=Ukraine : des volontaires français dans une brigade pro-russe |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/rue89/rue89-monde/20140826.RUE5432/ukraine-des-volontaires-francais-dans-une-brigade-pro-russe.html |access-date=14 February 2023 |website=L'Obs |language=fr |archive-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214004157/https://www.nouvelobs.com/rue89/rue89-monde/20140826.RUE5432/ukraine-des-volontaires-francais-dans-une-brigade-pro-russe.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Klaubert |first=David |title=Ausländische Kämpfer in der Ostukraine: "Neurussland oder Tod" |language=de |work=FAZ.NET |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/europa/auslaendische-kaempfer-in-der-ostukraine-neurussland-oder-tod-13186103.html |access-date=14 February 2023 |issn=0174-4909 |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114020747/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/europa/auslaendische-kaempfer-in-der-ostukraine-neurussland-oder-tod-13186103.html |url-status=live }})
• Vostok Brigade
• Pyatnashka Brigade

File:Five Members of the Norman Brigade, Team Canada-Québec.jpg]]

• Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion
• Freedom of Russia Legion
• Georgian National Legion
• International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine
• Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment
• Misanthropic Division
• Sheikh Mansur Battalion
• Turan Battalion
• Ajnad al-Kavkaz
• Norman Brigade
• Pahonia Regiment
• Russian Volunteer Corps
• Ichkerian Special Purpose Battalion
• Tactical group "Belarus"
• Russian Insurgent Army
• Karelian Group
• Sibir Battalion
• Belarusian Volunteer Corps
• Polish Volunteer Corps
• German Volunteer Corps
• {{ill|Khamzat Gelayev Detachment|ru|Батальон имени Хамзата Гелаева|uk|Батальйон імені Хамзата Гелаєва}}
• Imam Shamil Dagestan Battalion
• NOMAD Unit
• Bashkir Company
• Black Bridge
• Bolívar Battalion
• Romanian Battlegroup Getica
• Armenian Legion

;Pro-Russia:

• Beness Aijo, Latvian Nazbol of Russian and Ugandan descent who was arrested and deported from Ukraine for fighting with the Interbrigades in 2014. He later returned to Ukraine to fight for the Donetsk People's Republic.
• Dejan Berić, Serbian sniper in the armed forces of the DNR.
• Russell Bentley, a former American soldier and communist who fought with Russian separatists in 2014 and returned in 2022 with the expressed intention of helping Russian forces.{{Cite web |date=3 March 2022 |title=Exclusive—Texas Man in Russian Army Says He's 'Liberating' Ukraine |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russell-texas-bentley-interview-pro-russia-donbas-ukraine-1684450 |access-date=14 February 2023 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902195202/https://www.newsweek.com/russell-texas-bentley-interview-pro-russia-donbas-ukraine-1684450 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Dickinson |first=Tim |date=3 March 2022 |title=The Bizarre Story of How a Hardcore Texas Leftist Became a Frontline Putin Propagandist |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/russell-texas-bentley-putin-propaganda-ukraine-interview-1315433/ |access-date=14 February 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220303182411/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/russell-texas-bentley-putin-propaganda-ukraine-interview-1315433/ |url-status=live }} Believed to have been tortured and killed by fellow Russian servicemen mistaking him for a US spy in 2024.{{cite web | last=Henderson | first=Cameron | title=Four Russian soldiers charged with killing US citizen | website=The Telegraph | date=20 September 2024 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/20/russian-soldiers-charged-murder-us-citizen-russell-bentley/ | access-date=24 September 2024}}
• Bratislav Živković, Serbian mercenary and leader of extremist group known as the Chetniks, killed in Ukraine in January 2025.

;Pro-Ukraine:

• Trevor Cadieu, a three star Canadian general, possibly captured in June 2022.
• Sandra Andersen Eira, Norwegian Sámi member of the Sámi Parliament of Norway (2017–2021) who joined the Ukrainian International Legion.
• Aleko Elisashvili, Georgian parliamentarian who joined the Ukrainian International Legion.
• Mamuka Mamulashvili, Georgian paramilitary leader and former soldier who leads the Georgian National Legion.
• Isa Munayev, Chechen rebel who led the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion before his death at the Battle of Debaltseve in 2015.
• Malcolm Nance, American author, media pundit, and former US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer who joined the Ukrainian International Legion.
• Shaun Pinner, former British soldier who joined the Ukrainian Army as a volunteer and was captured and sentenced to death by the authorities of the Donetsk People's Republic.
• Tseng Sheng-guang, Taiwanese indigenous veteran who volunteered in the Ukrainian International Legion and the Carpathian Sich Battalion, was the first East Asian soldier killed in action.{{Cite news |title=Why Taiwanese are among Ukraine's foreign fighters |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63678601 |first=Sophie |last=Williams |work=Russia-Ukraine war |date=13 December 2022 |access-date=7 January 2023 |agency=BBC News |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108113834/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63678601 |url-status=live }}
• Pavel Shurmei, Belarusian Olympic rower who joined the pro-Ukrainian Belarusian Kalinoŭski Regiment.
• Aliaksiej Skoblia, Belarusian dissident who defected to Ukraine in 2015 and led the Kalinoŭski Regiment.
• Yulia Tolopa, Russian-born woman fighting on the side of Ukraine from 2014 to 2019

• International Legion (Ukraine)
• Ukrainian volunteer battalions
• Foreign fighters in the Syrian Civil War and War in Iraq

• {{Citation | website=Brookings | vauthors=((Byman, D. L.)) | date=3 March 2022 | title=Foreign fighters in Ukraine? Evaluating the benefits and risks | url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2022/03/03/foreign-fighters-in-ukraine-evaluating-the-benefits-and-risks/ | access-date=8 January 2023}}
• {{citation | website= International Centre for Counter-Terrorism | vauthors=((Dongen, T. van)), ((Weijenberg, G.)), ((Vugteveen, M.)), ((Farrell-Molloy, J.)) | title=Foreign Volunteers in Ukraine: Security Considerations for Europe | date=4 May 2022 | url=https://icct.nl/publication/foreign-volunteers-in-ukraine-security-considerations-for-europe/ | access-date=8 January 2023}}
• {{Citation | vauthors=((Gall, C.)) | website=The New York Times | date=8 January 2023 | title=Now Fighting for Ukraine: Volunteers Seeking Revenge Against Russia | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/08/world/europe/ukraine-russia-volunteers-chechens-tatars.html | access-date=8 January 2023}}
• {{Citation | website=ABC News | vauthors=((Guarino, M.)) | date=6 November 2022 | title=Foreign fighters in Ukraine speak out on their willingness to serve: "I had to go" | url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/foreign-fighters-ukraine-speak-willingness-serve/story?id=91671528 | access-date=8 January 2023}}
• {{Citation | vauthors=((Guerra, N.)) | journal=Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression | date=10 May 2023 | title=The Russia-Ukraine war has shattered the Italian far right | pages=1–21 | doi=10.1080/19434472.2023.2206468 | s2cid=258645197 | url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19434472.2023.2206468 | access-date=24 May 2023}}
• {{Citation | website=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty | vauthors=((Liklikadze, K.)), ((Tarkhnishvili, N.)), ((Wesolowsky, T.)) | date=18 December 2022 | title="We Have A Common Enemy": Georgian Soldier Says Ukraine's Fight Against Russia Is His Country's, Too | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-georgia-fighters-russia-invasion/32181784.html | access-date=8 January 2023}}
• {{citation | journal= Icct | vauthors=((Mehra, T.)), ((Thorley, A.)) | title=Foreign Fighters, Foreign Volunteers and Mercenaries in the Ukrainian Armed Conflict | date=11 July 2022 | url=https://icct.nl/publication/foreign-fighters-volunteers-mercenaries-in-ukraine/ | access-date=8 January 2023}}
• {{Citation | website=BBC | vauthors=((Williams, S.)) | date=13 December 2022 | title=Why Taiwanese are among Ukraine's foreign fighters | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63678601 | access-date=8 January 2023}}

{{notelist}}

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{{War in Donbas}}

{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Overview}}

Category:Expatriate military units and formations

Category:Mercenary warfare

Category:Military personnel of the Russo-Ukrainian War

Category:Foreign volunteers in the Russian invasion of Ukraine