Foreign fighters courageously rush to join Ukraine's fight against Russia

Fighters from outside Ukraine have been traveling there to answer President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for foreign citizens to come and enlist in the army.

Zelensky made the call to action to “all citizens of the world” in a statement on his official website.

“Anyone who wants to join the defense of Ukraine, Europe and the world can come and fight side by side with the Ukrainians against the Russian war criminals,” the Ukrainian president wrote, explaining that they could join a new subdivision called the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian defense ministry has received “thousands” of requests since that announcement, according to deputy minister of defense Hanna Maliar on Twitter.

“President Zelenskyy announced creation of a new unit named "International Legion." We already have thousands requests from foreigners, who want to join the resistance to the 🇷🇺 occupiers and protect the world security from Putin regime."-Hanna Maliar - Deputy Minister of Defence

— Defence of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 28, 2022

Channels have formed on social media and in messaging apps detailing how to join the newly established foreign legion, reported The Independent. Some users have crowdfunded their travel, while others have sold off personal belongings.

Anthony Walker, a Canadian comedian decided, after a hard conversation with his wife and two children, that he would travel to Ukraine to be a combat medic and has been documenting his journey on Twitter.

2 years ago I was denied entry to the Canadian Forces due to a rare blood disorder (I bleed too much)

Now, I’m voluntarily headed to Ukraine to do what my government won’t.

Fuck Russia. #StandWithUkraine

— Anthony Walker, Temporary Ukrainian 🇺🇦 (@anthonycwalker) February 26, 2022

The head of the Georgian National Legion, a volunteer unit of Georgian soldiers that will be receiving many of the foreign arrivals, told VICE that about 400 international volunteers had signed up since Sunday, including about 70 from the United Kingdom and 50 from the U.S.

“They want to fight for freedom and they want to fight for democratic values,” said Mamuka Mamulashvili, leader of the Georgian National Legion.

In addition to the new volunteers, about 200 foreign fighters had joined the Legion in the three weeks leading prior to the invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine is entering its fifth day. The major cities of Kiev and Kharkiv still remain under Ukrainian control.