The International Legion of Defense of Ukraine includes representatives of 55 countries from all continents, said on Monday, June 13, the representative of the International Legion Damien Magru.
“We have representatives from more than 50 countries and nationalities. Last time I looked it was 55. We have representatives of countries from all parts of the world, all continents, even as far away as Brazil, South Korea, Australia,” Magru said at a briefing in Kyiv.
Most representatives of the International Legion are citizens of the USA and Great Britain, followed by citizens of Poland and Canada, representatives of the Baltic and Nordic countries, including Finland.
Magru stressed that the International Legion is part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, therefore it is financed by the Ukrainian army.
“This applies to all living expenses, salaries of fighters, weapons and ammunition.. We have an additional collection of money from private donors, primarily from the West, and we spend this money, which we collect on different platforms through various intermediaries, exclusively on the equipment of our fighters, which is not included in the standard military kit that is issued by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and which is necessary.
The speaker noted that all legionnaires receive the same salary as any other servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and therefore cannot be considered mercenaries.. In particular, according to international law, the primary motivation for mercenaries is funding and they should receive more money than the military armies they are fighting for..
“Therefore, by definition, we cannot be mercenaries under international law..
Moreover, we have all the documents in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, proving that we are full-fledged employees of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Magru said..
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The International Defense Legion of Ukraine on the basis of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was created in the early days of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Several thousand foreigners immediately expressed their desire to serve in it.. All of them will subsequently be eligible for Ukrainian citizenship..