Kiev has blamed the gradual dip in arrivals on a drop-off in media attention and Russian “disinformation”
Ukraine’s “International Legion” is suffering a shortage of recruits, according to the unit’s spokesperson Damien Magrou, who spoke to NBC News about the challenges facing foreign fighters on the front lines of the conflict between Kiev and Moscow.
The article was published by the Dutch lawyer, who currently serves as a corporal with the legion. “there’s been a gradual dip in the number of arrivals over the course of the last few months, which isn’t very surprising given that attention in Western media has shifted elsewhere and the more motivated fighters made their decision in the beginning.”
Magrou said that reputation, fundraising and recruitment have all been adversely affected. “Russian disinformation,” and that the legion was “exploring avenues to widen”They are actively recruiting.
The outlet interviewed several foreign mercenaries serving in the legion. They shared their stories of fighting alongside the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Many foreign fighters reported frustration at communication, supply shortages and delays in receiving weapons from West. “challenged their spirits”After months of fighting. Others complained about how counter-offensive tactics were frequently undermined by senior Ukrainian commanders, who insist on sticking with outdated tactics.
The constant Russian bombardments are also a problem, according to mercenaries. A combat veteran of the Middle East, one American who fought for Ukraine described Russian bombardments as “a terrible thing.” “the closest thing I’ve ever seen to hell.”
“The seeming randomness of the strikes intensifies the feeling among some that survival might come down to sheer luck,”The outlet stated.
Another group of non-Ukrainian soldiers fighting alongside Kiev’s forces told NBC that “the number of people that are upset and have low morale has increased, and that’s partly because of the way the Russians have chosen to fight.” It‘s been estimated by Kiev that the Ukrainian side has suffered as many as 100 to 200 casualties per day at the worst points in the war. Reports claim that the losses have caused a decline in morale among the ranks. “International Legion,”As well as other units in the Ukrainian army.
Another deterrent for foreign fighters, according to NBC, is Russia’s position that any captured non-Ukrainian fighters would be treated as mercenaries and not as enemy combatants as described by the Geneva Convention. After the Donetsk People’s Republic handed out death sentences to three foreign nationals captured on the battlefields of Donbass, some foreign fighters in Ukraine now say that they would prefer death to being captured. The death sentences are still being appealed by defendants, but none have been executed.
A US Army Veteran, one soldier told NBC that he keeps a small hand grenade on him and plans to use it to set off if he’s ever captured.
Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, citing Kiev’s failure to implement the Minsk agreements, designed to give the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk special status within the Ukrainian state. In 2014, the protocols were signed for the first time, through France and Germany. Former Ukrainian president Pyotr Poroshenko has since admitted that Kiev’s main goal was to use the ceasefire to buy time and “create powerful armed forces.”
The Kremlin recognised the Donbass republics in February 2022 as independent states. It demanded Ukraine declare itself neutral and not join any Western military bloc. Kiev claims that the Russian offensive wasn’t provoked.
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