NOMAD Unit (Ukraine)
{{Short description|Military unit}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = NOMAD
| native_name = {{lang|uk|НОМАД}}
| image = File:NOMAD volunteer unit.webp
| image_size = 200px
| start_date = 27 December 2024
| country = {{Flagu|Ukraine}}
| branch =
| role = Spetsnaz
| type = Foreign volunteer regiment
| command_structure = 25px International Legion of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine
| commander1 = Callsign: Shaman
| notable_commanders =
| size = 200+
| patron =
| motto = "Liberation of Homeland through the liberation of Ukraine"
| battles = Russian invasion of Ukraine
| decorations = File:UA VGO Kraina Za Naszu i Vaszu Svobodu (Steel Cross) BAR.svg
| garrison = Kyiv
| website = https://t.me/s/nomad_svoboda
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_label =
}}
The NOMAD Unit is a volunteer military formation composed of indigenous peoples from the Russian Federation, fighting for Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Established on 27 December 2024, it joined the International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine on 3 March 2025, the unit brings together individuals from various minority groups within Russia, united in their opposition to the Russian government and separatist ambitions.
It is staffed mainly by Kalmyks, Tatars, Buryats, Bashkirs and Yakuts. It includes both direct volunteers as well as prisoners of war.
History
The NOMAD unit was officially established on 27 December 2024 with the aims of uniting the indigenous people of Russia wanting independence from the Russian Federation,{{Cite web|url=https://www.uawire.org/indigenous-russian-unit-nomad-joins-ukraine-s-military-intelligence-legion|title=UAWire - Indigenous Russian unit 'Nomad' joins Ukraine's Military Intelligence Legion|website=www.uawire.org}} after "months of bureaucracy" although it was unofficially operating before this date.{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@jayduggy87/russians-are-joining-ukraine-to-fight-putins-regime-meet-the-nomad-unit-17cb18483369|title=Russians Are Joining Ukraine to Fight Putin's Regime — Meet the 'Nomad Unit' | by Ryder Blackthorn | Mar, 2025 | Medium}} It has been officially fighting as an official unit on the frontlines since December 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://abn.org.ua/en/interviews/a-unit-consisting-of-representatives-of-indigenous-nations-of-russia-has-appeared-in-ukraine/|title=A unit consisting of representatives of indigenous nations of Russia has appeared in Ukraine|first=A. B. N.|last=Correspondence|date=8 February 2025}}
It signed an agreement with a HUR-backed hotline for defecting Russian soldiers in late February 2025 to incorporate Russian defectors into the unit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-new-military-unit-russian-soldiers-gur-nomad-2038686|title=Ukraine announces military unit of Russians to fight Putin|first1=Ellie Cook is a Newsweek|last1=security|first2=defense reporter based in|last2=London|first3=U. K. Her work focuses largely on the Russia-Ukraine|last3=war|first4=the U. S.|last4=military|first5=Weapons|last5=Systems|first6=emerging technology She joined Newsweek in|last6=January 2023|first7=having previously worked as a reporter at the Daily|last7=Express|first8=is a graduate of International Journalism at|last8=City|first9=University of London Languages|last9=English|first10=Defense Reporter Newsweek Is A. Trust Project|last10=Member|date=3 March 2025|website=Newsweek}} It joined the International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine on 3 March 2025.[https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukraine-s-defence-intelligence-forms-unit-of-russian-minorities/ Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence Forms Unit of Russian Minorities]{{Cite web|url=https://odessa-journal.com/nomad-unit-comprised-of-indigenous-peoples-of-the-russian-federation-joins-the-international-legion-of-the-ukrainian-military-intelligence|title=Indigenous Nomad Unit Joins Ukraine's International Legion - Oj|website=odessa-journal.com}}
Composition
The Nomad unit includes Kalmyks, Tatars, Buryats, Bashkirs and Yakuts but any minorities under "Russian occupation" can join the unit. Its personnel include both volunteers and voluntarily fighting prisoners of war of the Russian Armed Forces. This could violate the Article 23 of the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War which says that "no prisoner of war may at any time be sent to or detained in areas where he may be exposed to the fire of the combat zone."{{cite web | url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/geneva-convention-relative-treatment-prisoners-war#:~:text=with%20their%20consent.-,Article%2023,areas%20immune%20from%20military%20operations | title=Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War }} The unit has a strength of more than 200 personnel.