Flexible service, tough missions: how foreign fighters serve in Ukraine’s International Legion
global.espreso.tv
Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:19:00 +0300

Deputy Commander of the 1st International Legion, Yuriy Komarnytskyi, spoke on Espreso TV about the specifics of service for foreign volunteers in Ukraine and the key missions they are currently undertaking.“The specificity of working with foreigners is that they have the option of serving six months of their contract. After they have served six months, they have the right to terminate it at any time. If, for example, a foreigner does not like the command for one reason or another, that is, his direct commander, platoon commander, or company commander. Different things happen, people change. He can simply say, ‘I'm leaving,’ and terminate the contract. Most people in the higher military command understand this, and they try their best to create conditions that are, let's say, comfortable for us foreigners,” Komarnytskyi explained.He noted that the International Legion is currently operating in several key areas, including the Kharkiv region and the Kupiansk direction.“But you can see for yourself, go online. The international legions performed key tasks. These are Bakhmut, Sievierodonetsk, the battles for Kupiansk, and they have performed them successfully. So, whatever anyone says, foreigners are really a machine that successfully performs its tasks. Well, of course, not without, let's say, a team of Ukrainians, that is, people like me, like Yan, our commander. And special thanks, of course, to the volunteers who help and provide us with additional support,” he said.Komarnytskyi also highlighted the differences between Ukrainian and foreign soldiers, referring to the importance of meeting basic needs in stressful combat conditions.“Believe me, foreign soldiers, what's the difference? Perhaps Ukrainian soldiers are more resilient in dealing with everyday issues, such as Maslow's pyramid. Maslow's pyramid tells us that you must satisfy your basic needs: eat, sleep, wash. If a Ukrainian is a more resilient soldier, then a foreigner, you see, needs to complete Maslow's pyramid. But if he closes it, believe me, I can give you an example, let's say, from the movie Rambo. They really are like Rambo, and they carry out the most difficult tasks,” the deputy commander added.
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