International Legions are being integrated into the assault units of the Armed Forces

The International Legions within the Armed Forces of Ukraine were not disbanded, but integrated into assault units to strengthen them with new weapons and equipment. About it says in the official statement of the Land Forces.

"The International Legions of Defense of Ukraine have been integrated into the assault units of the Land Forces. They have received new career opportunities and strengthened their capabilities with new weapons and military equipment," the statement said.

The Land Forces assured that foreign units are not disappearing. Instead of being separate "light" battalions, they are being integrated into effective and experienced units.

The military believes this is a logical step, as the legionnaires are fighters of special forces battalions within the Armed Forces. Assault operations and counter-sabotage operations are exactly what the legions' personnel have been doing since the first days of their foundation.

"Integration into other units does not reduce their level, but rather increases their capabilities, provides high-quality protection of servicemen on the battlefield and provides reinforcement with unmanned systems, artillery and aerial reconnaissance. Foreign units have access to the resources and logistics of regular units," the Army added.

The command claims that combat missions for foreigners remain unchanged. They continue to work in the relevant areas – in the same areas, in the same conditions.

Also, according to the Land Forces, soldiers of the legions have been given the opportunity to retrain as UAV operators, artillerymen, scouts, or specialists in logistics positions. Foreigners, among other things, are recruiting new colleagues on their own, as they see prospects for their development rather than threats.

The military emphasized that integration is sometimes presented in the information field as the elimination of legions.

"The internal audit revealed some irregularities in the organization of accounting and management processes that required response and streamlining. Some of the public comments that appeared later do not reflect the full picture and may be due to the reluctance of certain officials to lose their functions or positions after the decisions made," the statement said.

They assured that these steps are aimed solely at increasing the transparency, responsibility and combat capability of the units, and not at stopping the activities of foreigners in the ranks of the Land Forces.

On February 8, the French newspaper Le Monde published an article based on interviews with several fighters that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has secretly disbanded the International Legion and is transferring foreigners to assault units.

This decision, which was allegedly made without public disclosure in December 2025, caused a wave of demoralization among the volunteers. The main reason for the legionnaires' dissatisfaction was the decision to transfer them to assault units that perform the most difficult and dangerous tasks at the front.

• On February 27, 2022, Zelensky announced the creation of the International Legion of Defense Against Terrorism.
• In March, it was reported that international legion consists of representatives from more than 50 countries who came to Ukraine to help Ukrainian troops in the fight against the Russian occupiers.