International Legions Are Being Liquidated in Ukraine: What's Happening and Why Such a Decision Is Concerned

Ukraine has announced the disbandment of the international legions, which will significantly affect the future of foreign volunteers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Find out what exactly will change from January 1, 2026 and how the transition to new structures will take place

Reliable medical insurance for foreigners in Ukraine

BUY

Ukraine has decided to liquidate the international legions within the Land Forces. The process will last until the end of 2025 and is already raising questions among both the military and foreign volunteers who have been defending Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale invasion.

What will change for foreign volunteers in the Ukrainian army from January 1, 2026? The commander of the Second International Legion, Major Oleksandr Yakymovych, spoke about this in detail in an exclusive commentary for OBOZ.UA. Read about the main innovations in this article.

How to join the International Legion in Ukraine and what are the conditions of service in this article.

Liquidation of the International Legion in Ukraine: what exactly did the General Staff decide?

According to the commander of the Second International Legion, Oleksandr Yakimovich, the decision to liquidate the International Legion in Ukraine has already been made and is final:

On December 31, 2025, the International Legion will cease to exist as military units within the Land Forces of Ukraine. Three combat legions and the training center will be disbanded: the training center will retain its functions, but will no longer have the status of a “legion”.

In fact, only one unit remains in the structure of the Armed Forces that will have the status of an international unit – the legion under the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Why did the Ukrainian leadership decide to disband the International Legion?

The legionnaires were not given an official justification, but the commander believes that the decision is related to two key factors:

1. Optimization of the structure of the Armed Forces

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have many separate, differently staffed battalions, some of which are not fully used in combat operations, which creates an imbalance in the staffing structure. To resolve this issue, the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is carrying out certain reforms.

2. Formation of Assault Troops

In September 2025, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced the creation of separate Assault Troops with a drone component. As is clear, a new branch of the military requires personnel. It is planned to transfer foreign volunteers to the new Assault Troops. However, at this stage, a number of problems arise.

Why is it difficult to transfer international legions to Assault Troops?

Let's consider the answer to this question using the example of the Second Division of the Legion, commanded by Major Oleksandr Yakymovych: this legion is not an ordinary battalion, it was created for a completely different specifics. The main tasks of the Second International Legion are:

- Sabotage and counter-sabotage operations;

- Reconnaissance activities;

- Point-based strike actions to knock down the enemy's initiative;

- Work in autonomous mode.

This is a unique unit, because it:

1. Professional military personnel from different countries serve;

2. There is its own recruitment of foreigners;

3. There is a multi-level training system;

4. Up to 10 types of UAVs are used;

5. There are its own means of fire destruction;

6. There is a medical service and logistics.

The main idea of ​​the unit is to knock down the enemy initiative, that is, when the enemy begins an offensive, the legion strikes on the flank or at another point, forcing the enemy to disperse forces. The concept of a new “active unit” capable of independently changing the situation on the battlefield has been tested at the base of the Second Legion for a year. The legionnaires perform combat missions qualitatively and effectively, so disbanding and transferring them seems illogical.

How do the legionnaires react to a possible transfer to the assault troops?

Foreign military personnel are exclusively volunteers who came at the call of their hearts. They are highly qualified, understand their role and their value.

What motivates foreigners to join the defense of Ukraine was described in detail in this article.

Not all foreign volunteers will want to join the assault troops. The reason is simple: assault activities require completely different, special skills, and this is not their profile, so a large-scale assault may be unacceptable for them.

It is already becoming clear that the responses to the reform among the foreign military are quite ambiguous.

In addition, the disbandment of the international legions threatens the involvement of foreigners in the Ukrainian army, which in turn may significantly affect the number of people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The decision to liquidate the international legions is one of the most controversial in recent times. Especially considering that the Second Legion became a platform for creating a new concept of special active actions at the front and repeatedly demonstrated high efficiency.

The further development of the situation depends on how the transition of foreign volunteers to new structures will take place and whether the unique capabilities of the units will be preserved.

If you are planning a trip or a long stay in Ukraine, take care of your safety in advance. Insurance with military risks coverage provides full medical protection: emergency care, outpatient treatment, hospitalization and repatriation. In addition, the policy guarantees monetary compensation in the event of an accident caused by military actions, passive military risks or terrorist attacks.

Apply for insurance with military risks coverage online at Visit Ukraine and get protection that works even in a high-risk zone!

We remind you! Service in the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a real opportunity to help Ukraine, gain combat experience and decent financial support. We have already told you how much foreigners earn for combat missions and how to become part of and join the Ukrainian army.

Photo – Freepik

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.