The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine responded to questions regarding the reorganization of foreign volunteer units and explained the logic behind the changes.
The clarification was published on February 13.
The Ministry noted that the International Legion cannot be disbanded because it is an umbrella term for a network of volunteer formations operating within different structures of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Foreigners serve within the DIU’s International Legion, the Special Operations Forces, and brigades of the National Guard.
“Only the infantry battalions of the Ground Forces and Territorial Defense Forces, created at the beginning of the full-scale invasion to quickly accept foreign volunteers, are currently undergoing transformation”, — the Ministry reported.
These units are being integrated into powerful brigades of the Armed Forces, where they will receive better weapons and protection.
“Previously, legionnaires mostly operated as light infantry. Within a mechanized brigade, an international unit will have access to heavy equipment, resources, and the logistics of regular formations”, — the statement reads.
As for specialized professionals, they will continue to work in their field.
“The Ukrainian military is interested in efficiency, so snipers, drone pilots, medics, and others will hold appropriate positions in the specialized companies of their new brigades”, — the Ministry assured.
The Ministry reminded that foreign volunteers have the right to choose: if a particular AFU brigade is not suitable, they may transfer to other forces — DIU, SOF, or the National Guard.
