International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine
{{Short description|Ukrainian military volunteer unit}}
{{For|Ukraine's International (Foreign) Legion|International Legion (Ukraine)}}
{{Citation style|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine
| native_name =
| image = HUR international legion insignia.webp
| image_size = 200
| caption = Legion insignia
| start_date = 2022
| country = {{flagu|Ukraine}}
| branch = 25px Main Directorate of Intelligence
| allegiance = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.svg}} Ministry of Defence
| type = Spetsnaz and International Volunteer Legion
| role = Reconnaissance, counteroffensive and sabotage
| size =
| command_structure = 20px Main Directorate of Intelligence (administratively)
| nickname =
| colours =
| battles = {{tree list}}
- Russo-Ukrainian War
- Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Northern Ukraine campaign
- Battle of Kyiv
- Eastern Ukraine campaign
- Battle of Sievierodonetsk
- Battle of Lysychansk
- Battle of Bakhmut
- 2024 Kharkiv offensive
- Southern Ukraine campaign
- Battle of Mykolaiv
- 2022 Kherson counteroffensive
{{tree list/end}}
| notable_commanders =
| motto = Uniting Professionals for Solving Extreme Tasks
| website =
| current_commander = Major Vadym Popyk
| commander2 =
| commander2_label =
| identification_symbol = 200px
| identification_symbol_label = Patch
| identification_symbol_2 =
| identification_symbol_2_label =
}}
The International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine ({{MUN}}A3449) is a separate brigade-level unit of foreign fighters subordinated to the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The unit consists of several foreign units structured at various levels, typically being structured as either a battalion, or a squadron split into several teams functioning completely separate from the regular Ukrainian International Legion, under the HUR MO operationally.
History
The legion has participated in the Battle of Kyiv, Battle of Mykolaiv, Battle of Sievierodonetsk, Battle of Lysychansk, Southern Ukraine campaign, 2022 Kherson counteroffensive and Battle of Bakhmut amongst many more combat operations.{{Cite web |title=International Legion |url=https://legion-diu.org/en |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=International Legion of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine}}{{Cite web|title=Посилають на смерть і погрожують: іноземні легіонери скаржаться на керівництво розвідки в Україні – ЗМІ|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/08/19/7363971/|website=Українська правда|accessdate=2023-05-08|language=uk|archive-date=2023-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508030204/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/08/19/7363971/|url-status=live}}
During the Battle of Mykolaiv, Russians discovered a position of the legion and heavily shelled it, others were evacuated and they were left alone to fend for themselves and hold the defenses. Due to the incompetence of legion commanders, an American volunteer Scott Sibley was killed and three were severely wounded. Just as one detachment was able to leave the position, another was sent there despite resistance by the legionnaires, again four volunteers were killed, several more were wounded, and one American volunteer Andrew Hill was captured and faces a possible execution, all due to the command's incompetence. At first, the Brazilian unit spent two weeks in demining operations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In early June 2022, a few days into the mission, they were suddenly shifted to take part in the Battle of Sievierodonetsk, completely unprepared, not even knowing the positions of friendly troops, the planning was done without coordination with other units.
Due to a lack of communication and incompetence by the high command, a Brazilian legionnaire was killed and many more including the Brazilian Platoon leader were wounded, almost the entire platoon resigned as a result of the command's incompetence. During the Battle of Lysychansk, legionnaires were ordered by the command to loot a local shopping mall stealing valuables including furniture, shoes, women's clothes, jewelry, watches and electronics, many soldiers resisted the others and many were forced to comply. In November 2022, the legion participated in the 2022 Kherson counteroffensive.{{Cite web|title=Активно деокупувати Херсонщину допомагає Інтернаціональний Легіон ГУР|url=https://armyinform.com.ua/2022/11/22/aktyvno-deokupuvaty-hersonshhynu-dopomagaye-internaczionalnyj-legion-gur/|website=armyinform.com.ua|accessdate=2023-05-08|language=uk|archive-date=2023-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508030206/https://armyinform.com.ua/2022/11/22/aktyvno-deokupuvaty-hersonshhynu-dopomagaye-internaczionalnyj-legion-gur/|url-status=live}}
In October 2024, the legion was involved in a special operation during the 2024 Kharkiv offensive.{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-hur-operatsiya-lyptsi-kharkivshchyna-lis/33160753.html|title=«Зачистили 400 гектарів лісу»: ГУР повідомляє про операцію на півночі Харківщини|work=Радіо Свобода |publisher=Radio Liberty|date=October 16, 2024|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20250203184340/https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-hur-operatsiya-lyptsi-kharkivshchyna-lis/33160753.html|archive-date=3 February 2025|access-date=9 February 2025 |last1=Свобода |first1=Радіо }}
Tasks
The tasks of the Legion include combat missions in air, land, and water. It operates separately and independently from the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, under a different command structure, with different techniques, tactics, and procedures. It is bound and obligated to adhere to the highest standards of the requirements of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Manual of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and all international laws signed by Ukraine.{{Cite web|title=International Legion|url=https://legion-diu.org/en|website=legion-diu.org|accessdate=2023-05-08|archive-date=2024-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318030538/https://legion-diu.org/en|url-status=live}}
Commanders
Structure
Support units of the legion include:
- Intelligence group "GrecCompany"{{Cite web |url=https://lobbyx.army/tor/rozvidnyk-do-hrupy-rozvidky-grec-company/ |title=Архівована копія |access-date=2024-07-14 |archive-date=2024-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714031041/https://lobbyx.army/tor/rozvidnyk-do-hrupy-rozvidky-grec-company/ |url-status=live }}
- Tactical Group "Athena"{{Cite web |url=https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-bpla-mavic-do-taktychnoi-hrupy-afina/ |title=Архівована копія |access-date=2024-07-14 |archive-date=2024-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815070820/https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-bpla-mavic-do-taktychnoi-hrupy-afina/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Tactical Group Athena |url=https://t.me/s/tg_athena_gur?before=56 |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=Telegram}}
- Ronin Team Sniper and Reconnaissance Company{{Cite web |title=Ronin Team |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C8cbVeGqXHH/ |access-date=29 July 2024 |website=Instagram}}
- Snake Medical Service[https://lobbyx.army/tor/feldsher-do-zahonu-spetsialnoho-pryznachennia-snake/ Архівована копія ]
- Active Action Squad[https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-udarnykh-bpla-multyrotornoho-typu-do-zahonu-aktyvnykh-diy-mizhnarodnoho-lehionu-hur/ Архівована копія ]
- Delta Knights Squad
Personnel
The Legion is composed of fighters, mostly veterans from all over the world. As of 7 March 2022, volunteers and veterans from 52 countries around the world, totaling over 20,000 people, had expressed their desire to join the Legion, mostly experienced fighters who had participated in many peacekeeping campaigns throughout the world.{{Cite web|title=Створено спецпідрозділ Інтернаціонального легіону при ГУР МО України, він вже виконує бойові завдання|url=https://gur.gov.ua/content/stvoreno-spetspidrozdil-internatsionalnoho-lehionu-pry-hur-mo-ukrainy-vin-vzhe-vykonuie-boiovi-zavdannia.html|website=gur.gov.ua|accessdate=2023-05-08|archive-date=2023-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514033235/https://gur.gov.ua/content/stvoreno-spetspidrozdil-internatsionalnoho-lehionu-pry-hur-mo-ukrainy-vin-vzhe-vykonuie-boiovi-zavdannia.html|url-status=live}} Most volunteers were from Poland, Scotland, Greece, Brazil,{{Cite web|title=ГУР опублікував документалку «Інтернаціональний Легіон. Воля без кордонів» про спецпідрозділ іноземців, які воюють за Україну|url=https://kontrakty.ua/article/214511|website=Контракты.UA|accessdate=2023-05-08|language=ru|archive-date=2023-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508030208/https://kontrakty.ua/article/214511|url-status=live}} Colombia, the United States, Georgia, Norway, Australia and New Zealand.{{Citation|title=Головне ― продовжувати боротьбу, і разом ми переможемо, ― легіонер з Норвегії Бекетт|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqPNSV-9elg&t=81s&ab_channel=ГоловнеуправліннярозвідкиМОУкраїни|date=2024-10-30|accessdate=2024-11-06|last=Головне управління розвідки МО України}} According to Kyiv Independent, this unit numbered up to 500 people and constituted approximately a third as company to the Foreign Legion.{{Cite web|title=Suicide missions, abuse, physical threats: International Legion fighters speak out against leadership's misconduct|url=https://kyivindependent.com/suicide-missions-abuse-physical-threats-international-legion-fighters-speak-out-against-leaderships-misconduct/|website=Kyiv Independent|date=2022-08-17|accessdate=2023-05-08|language=en|archive-date=2023-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508030205/https://kyivindependent.com/suicide-missions-abuse-physical-threats-international-legion-fighters-speak-out-against-leaderships-misconduct/|url-status=live}}
{{External media|width=310px|video1={{YouTube|ykRvoxdeSAU|Від 18-річних до спецпризначенців: як Міжнародний легіон ГУР вербує іноземців }} // DW Ukrainian. — 2024}}
Controversies
The legion has been subjected to many controversies such as sexual abuse against female personnel of the legion, suicide missions, warcrimes, looting and many more.{{Cite web|title=Іноземні легіонери-розвідники скаржаться на зловживання керівництва, – розслідування Kyiv Independent|url=https://texty.org.ua/fragments/107557/inozemni-lehionery-rozvidnyky-skarzhatsya-na-zlovzhyvannya-kerivnyctva-rozsliduvannya-kyiv-independent/|website=texty.org.ua|accessdate=2023-05-08|language=uk|archive-date=2024-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815070825/https://texty.org.ua/fragments/107557/inozemni-lehionery-rozvidnyky-skarzhatsya-na-zlovzhyvannya-kerivnyctva-rozsliduvannya-kyiv-independent/|url-status=live}}
Officially, the Legion is commanded by Major Vadym Popyk but actually Major Taras Vashuk, Vashuk's uncle (also Taras) and Sasha Kuchynsky exert a massive influence over the legion. The legionnaires have accused the trio of having conducted many crimes including incompetence and sending the soldiers for suicide missions. During the Battle of Mykolaiv, Russians discovered a position of the legion and heavily shelled it, others were evacuated and they were left alone to fend for themselves and hold the defenses. Due to the incompetence of legion commanders, an American volunteer Scott Sibley was killed and three were severely wounded. Just as one detachment was able to leave the position, another was sent there despite resistance by the legionnaires, again four volunteers were killed, several more were wounded, and one American volunteer Andrew Hill was captured and faces a possible execution, all due to the command's incompetence. At first, the Brazilian unit spent two weeks in demining operations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In early June 2022, a few days into the mission, they were suddenly shifted to take part in the Battle of Sievierodonetsk, completely unprepared, not even knowing the positions of friendly troops, the planning was done without coordination with other units. Due to a lack of communication and incompetence by the high command, a Brazilian legionnaire was killed and many more including the Brazilian Platoon leader were wounded, almost the entire platoon resigned as a result of the command's incompetence. During the Battle of Lysychansk, legionnaires were ordered by the command to loot a local shopping mall stealing valuables including furniture, shoes, women's clothes, jewelry, watches and electronics, many soldiers resisted the others and many were forced to comply.
An American Jewish volunteer, alleged that the command of the legion was antisemitic and discriminated against Jewish personnel.
Kuchynsky was reported to have tried to confiscate personal equipment from the legionnaires and even pointing guns at the personnel.
Kuchynsky also sexually harassed female medics in their unit, causing a few medics to leave the unit and the country and was constantly being covered up by other members of the high command.
It was even reported that Sasha Kuchynsky was not even the actual name but it was Piotr Kapuscinski, a former major Polish criminal who fled Poland in 2014 and emerged in October 2016 in Ukraine for committing sexual assault and aggravated robbery for which he faced jail time. In 2017, Poland requested his extradition but was refused. In May 2021, he was arrested for the illegal possession of a semi-automatic pistol and explosives facing seven years in prison but was released on bail. He volunteered to join the military in February 2022. He was once detained and questioned by the Security Service of Ukraine for drawing a gun on an American soldiers and then by the Military Prosecution Office for power, fraud, and assault.
The command has been known to misuse donated equipment, keeping a part for themselves and even selling some of the equipment to soldiers in order to get money. This corruption even led to two soldiers losing their hearing as a result for not having been able to obtain headphones that were kept in the armory but not provided to the soldiers.
References
{{Reflist}}
Category:International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine
Category:2022 establishments in Ukraine
Category:Military units and formations established in 2022
Category:Pro-Ukraine foreign volunteer units in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Category:Ground Forces of Ukraine
Category:Military units and formations of Ukraine in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Category:Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)