"Поки Європа не прокинулася": що мотивує цивільних іноземців воювати на боці ЗСУ? | DW Ukrainian

Summary

The video highlights the ongoing involvement of foreign volunteers from over 30 countries in the Ukrainian war, joining international legions to support Ukraine's defense against Russia's aggression. These volunteers undergo rigorous training, often without prior military experience, to prepare for frontline combat. The story features individuals from diverse backgrounds, including a 25-year-old Italian cook, a British veteran, and a Brazilian who left his construction business behind. Motivated by a sense of duty and solidarity with Ukraine, many of these volunteers plan to stay in the country post-conflict, with some even learning Ukrainian. Their commitment reflects the global resolve to combat Russian aggression.

Takeaways

• 😀 Foreign volunteers continue to join the Ukrainian military, with individuals from over 30 countries offering their support in the ongoing war.
• 😀 The primary criteria for selection into the International Legion are legal adulthood, no ties to Russia, and physical and psychological readiness.
• 😀 The International Legions consist of special forces battalions that work alongside Ukrainian ground troops, with four battalions currently active.
• 😀 Volunteers undergo rigorous training that mimics real combat situations, even facing simulated threats like drones and mines to prepare for front-line operations.
• 😀 Military experience is not a requirement for joining the battalion; many recruits come from civilian backgrounds and are trained from scratch.
• 😀 Language barriers are a challenge for foreign volunteers, with some of them being trained in English, Spanish, or Portuguese with the help of experienced foreign legionnaires.
• 😀 Some foreign legionnaires, like Sherif Emin from the UK, have fought in multiple war zones before joining the Ukrainian cause, and they share their expertise with new recruits.
• 😀 Many foreign volunteers are deeply motivated by a desire to help Ukraine, seeing it as an opportunity to contribute to a higher cause and help fight against Russian aggression.
• 😀 While some volunteers initially joined for financial reasons, others are driven by personal loss or a deep sense of duty, with many choosing to stay long-term in Ukraine after their service.
• 😀 Foreign fighters are not only coming from Europe but also from Latin America, including Colombia and Brazil, where the experience of combatting organized crime has prepared them for warfare in Ukraine.
• 😀 A significant number of foreign volunteers plan to stay in Ukraine after the war ends, with some already learning the Ukrainian language and integrating into Ukrainian society.

Q & A

What are the main criteria for volunteers joining the Ukrainian International Legion?

The main criteria for volunteers are being of legal age, having no connections to Russia, and being physically and psychologically prepared for service.

How many international battalions are there in the Ukrainian army, and what is their role?

There are four international battalions in the Ukrainian army, and they support Ukrainian military units as part of the Ground Forces.

What type of training do foreign volunteers undergo before going to the front lines?

Foreign volunteers undergo at least two months of training, with drills designed to simulate real combat situations. This includes navigating with training mines and drones dropping 'surprises' from the air.

What is the role of foreign instructors in the International Legion?

Foreign instructors, like experienced legionnaires, help train new recruits, but they cannot hold leadership positions within the battalion. They act as team leaders and trainers.

Why did some foreign volunteers, like Luis from Brazil, decide to join the International Legion?

Luis, for example, joined because he wanted to help Ukrainians survive the war. He values the culture of Ukraine and finds it more meaningful than returning to Brazil.

How does the International Legion address the issue of language barriers?

The language barrier is addressed by using common languages like English, Spanish, and Portuguese for communication. Experienced foreign legionnaires help with translations and instructions.

What is the motivation for many foreign volunteers who join the Ukrainian army?

Motivations vary, but many join because they see the war as a fight for Europe and against Russian aggression. Some are driven by personal experiences, family histories, or a desire to contribute to global peace.

What challenges do foreign volunteers face in the International Legion?

Foreign volunteers face challenges such as adjusting to military life without prior combat experience, language barriers, and the emotional stress of war. However, they are trained rigorously to overcome these difficulties.

How do foreign volunteers view the future of the war with Russia?

Most foreign volunteers express skepticism about any potential ceasefire with Russia. They believe that even if Putin is no longer in power, the Russian mentality must change before peace can be achieved.

How have some foreign legionnaires, like the Polish volunteer Konrad, coped with injuries and continued serving?

Konrad, after being injured, took a break to recover in Poland. After rehabilitation, he returned to training, demonstrating his strong commitment to the cause and determination to keep fighting.