Ground Forces: Intl legions not being liquidated; they’re being integrated into assault units ‘to become stronger’
The International Defense Legions of Ukraine are not being liquidated; they have been integrated into the Ground Forces. This will enhance their capabilities, provide high-quality battlefield protection, and reinforce them with unmanned aerial systems, artillery, and aerial reconnaissance, the Ground Forces press service stated.
"The International Defense Legions of Ukraine have been integrated into the assault units of the Ground Forces. They have received new career advancement opportunities and have strengthened their capabilities with new weapons and military equipment. Foreign units are not disappearing. Instead of being separate 'light' battalions, they are being integrated into the effective and experienced units of the Ground Forces," reads a message posted on the Ground Forces' Telegram channel on Thursday.
As noted in the message, the discussion about the integration of the legions is currently ongoing in the media, with attempts to portray it as a liquidation. "During the internal investigation, certain violations in the organization of accounting and management processes were identified that required a response and streamlining," the message reads. "Some of the public comments that appeared subsequently do not reflect the full picture and may be due to the reluctance of certain officials to lose their functions or positions following the decisions made. We emphasize that the steps taken are aimed solely at increasing the transparency, accountability, and combat readiness of the units, and not at terminating the activities of foreigners in the Ground Forces," the message reads.
It is noted that integration into other units does not diminish the level of the International Legions, "but rather enhances their capabilities, ensures high-quality protection for service members on the battlefield, and provides reinforcement with unmanned systems, artillery, and aerial reconnaissance. Foreign units have gained access to the resources and logistics of regular units."
"The combat missions for the International Legions' personnel remain unchanged. Soldiers continue to operate in their respective areas—in the same regions, under the same conditions. The only difference is enhanced support, which significantly increases their combat resilience. Legion personnel have also been given the opportunity to develop and retrain—as UAV operators, artillerymen, reconnaissance personnel, or as logistics specialists, according to their competencies," the message reads.
It was noted that the majority of foreigners not only remained in service, but are independently recruiting new colleagues from abroad for their new units, as they see opportunities for their development, not threats.
"We value every foreign volunteer and remove barriers between our citizens and foreigners. Representatives of other countries who defend our land have absolutely the same rights, social guarantees, and, most importantly, the same level of support and provision as Ukrainian soldiers," the Ground Forces concluded.
Information about the reorganization of the foreign legions emerged in December 2025. According to media reports, by the end of 2025, all four military units of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, which had been created from the very beginning of the full-scale war under the brand "International Legions," were to be transferred to the Ground Forces. According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' plan, soldiers, including foreigners, were to continue serving in assault units. Meanwhile, some representatives of the legions spoke of the negative impact this decision would have on the flow of foreign volunteers into the Ukrainian army.
As reported, there were four international battalions in the Ground Forces. One of them, the fourth, is a training center where foreigners undergo basic combined arms training, which lasts, like for Ukrainians, 51 days.
