New Delhi: Three years after Russia’s invasion in 2022 set off the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine’s armed forces have been maintained not only by native troops but also by a varied array of foreign fighters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been mentioning major human casualties—between 1,200 Russian troops daily, according to some reports—for these global volunteers, who have become a major worry. For Ukraine, these fighters have been a source of pride and a crucial resource in the present conflict.
Foreign volunteers started pouring in after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in 2022, made a passionate plea for worldwide assistance. Estimates of their number range from 4,000 to 20,000. There were passionate, driven amateurs and combat-hardened soldiers with military experience.
Uniting so many and such a varied group created early challenges for the Ukrainian military, which lacked the infrastructure or training courses to appropriately welcome them. But with time, Ukraine changed, transforming these fighters into a major part of its war effort—especially those trained to operate Western-supplied weapons or offer front-line medical treatment.
Many foreign fighters have shown their value on the front lines, gaining the confidence of the Ukrainian armed forces. Having learnt to appreciate the Ukrainian language and culture apart from their combat duties, some of these foreign warriors are now hailed as heroes by street-level Ukrainians. Their work has been crucial in helping Ukraine to protect itself from a stronger foe.
Not all foreign recruits have been a gift, though. Some came without war skills, seeking to escape personal problems or due to boredom. Their inexperience and youth first caused them to err and disseminate Ukrainian military sites, which then helped Russian troops. Some have been seen distant from the front donning khaki military uniforms without officially enlisting in the army and covering the hotels and cafes of safer cities with more drama than substance in their dedication.
The arrival of foreign fighters, however, has naturally affected Ukraine’s war effort by intertwining it with worldwide solidarity and the responsibilities of managing an unusual army.
Comments are closed.