Soldiers of the International Defense Legions of Ukraine received awards...

Soldiers of the International Defense Legions of Ukraine received awards for courage in battles against Russian invaders

The foreign volunteers of the Ukrainian Defense Forces have inscribed their names in golden letters in the heroic repulse of Russian armed aggression. They enjoy well-deserved military glory and have a reputation as professional, fearless and incredibly reliable fighters. They have numerous successful missions and victories over well-trained and much more numerous enemy units. International Legions are staffed exclusively by volunteers, both Ukrainians and citizens of other countries. During the existence of the International Legions, representatives of more than 75 countries have fought in their ranks. It is no coincidence that the celebrations were timed with the Day of the Ukrainian Volunteer.

Foreign volunteers of the four International Legions of Defense of Ukraine received a special award - the Steel Cross “For Your Freedom and Ours”.

The event was initiated by the All-Ukrainian Association of Citizens “Krayina”. In addition to the International Legion, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, and other components of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, which are based on foreign volunteers, received the collective award.

The collective and individual awards were presented by the legendary and fearless “Sumrak” - Hero of Ukraine, Major General Ihor Hordiychuk, the head of the Ukrainian public organization “Krayina” Oleksandr Sopov and journalist and coordinator of the Interregional Humanitarian Coordination Center Maksym Tsarenko, who was once awarded the Star “For Courage”.

- I remember how we survived on Maidan thanks to volunteers and volunteers. They were the drivers for us, they were perfectly self-organized and went straight from the Maidan to the then burning Donbass. Volunteers have been, are and will be the “drivers” for the Defense Forces”, emphasized Major General Ihor Hordiychuk.

“Not all commanders and fighters of the International Legions could attend the event, as most of them are currently performing combat missions at the front, but the celebration was attended by representatives of such countries as the United States, Great Britain, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Brazil, Colombia, Turkmenistan, India and others. And this is only a small part of the family called the International Legion.

Commanders and representatives of the legions presented awards to their legionnaires who distinguished themselves in battles against the Russian occupiers and told the story of the military units they led.

“Kenobi”, commander of the 1st International Legion of Defense of Ukraine:

- The 1st International Legion of Defense of Ukraine was the first legion created in the Land Forces, participated in the battles for Kharkiv, in the Kharkiv counter-offensive, in the battles near Svatove, Velyka Novosilka Bakhmut, in the direction of Soledar, for the settlements of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. At the moment, the 1st International Legion continues to perform combat missions.

“Ted”, commander of the 2nd International Legion of Defense of Ukraine:

- Volunteers from 30 countries serve in the ranks of the Legion. These are the people who lend a shoulder in difficult times. Side by side with Ukrainians, we stood and defended freedom in Serebryansky Forest, Chasovyi Yar, and near Pokrovsk. All the guys who have been awarded today are volunteers. They were at the very forefront, performing their tasks with dignity and efficiency. I am grateful to the entire international community that is helping us and lending a shoulder.

“Geko, a representative of the 3rd International Legion of Defense of Ukraine:

- The third legion also goes hand in hand with the first, but it was created a little later. It arrived in the area of combat operations in August 2022. The legion was involved in the defense of the Kharkiv region, took part in the Kharkiv counteroffensive, the recapture of Kupiansk, part of the Luhansk region, Novoselivka district, and near Bakhmut near Khromove. He is currently performing a combat mission in the Kharkiv region.

“Sky”, commander of the 4th International Legion of Defense of Ukraine:

- As part of the 4th International Legion, which works side by side with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Legions and a large number of brigades of the Ukrainian Army, we train individuals and teams for certain units. I am grateful to the foreign volunteers who are with us and those who, unfortunately, are no longer with us. Their memory will live forever. I sincerely thank all the volunteers and representatives of international organizations who help defend our country.

While the main purpose of the event was to express gratitude to the foreign volunteers who are defending Ukraine's freedom and independence with arms, another goal was to remind the world of those heroes who have not hesitated to join and continue to join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend the entire civilized world from Russian aggression with their weapons and bravery.

- It is an honor for me to see the best representatives of the world's people of goodwill receive gratitude. Gratitude embodied in metal”, said Oleksandr Sopov, Chairman of the Ukrainian public organization ‘Krayina’.

Thousands of volunteers from different countries are fighting side by side with Ukrainians in the hottest spots of the burning frontline. For our freedom and yours.

To learn more about the International Defense Legions of Ukraine, please visit the official website at https://ildu.mil.gov.ua/

Eugeni Maliienko

Photo by Volodymyr Patola