How to be a Part of the International Legion of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine

Russians have started the most violent and aggressive wars since World War II, the images that surfaced were too much to bear for many. In the first months of the war, thousands of foreigners decided to take up arms and aid Ukraine in its defense. Although foreigners have fought for Ukraine as early as 2014, it was after the full-scale invasion that professional soldiers started to join the Ukrainian army on a mass scale.

To manage the high demand of applicants, the International Legion of Defence Intelligence Ukraine was formed on March 7th, 2022. The elite unit began taking in foreign fighters and is still looking to find motivated applicants to aid Ukraine in its defense. In a statement on their Instagram page, the GUR states:

We are opening a new recruitment program. We seek those who possess a deep passion for our cause, even if they may lack the specific training and experience we typically require. We have already noticed the submission of numerous applications, and we acknowledge your enthusiasm. At the Legion, we prioritize the readiness and proficiency of our servicemen. We do not dispatch unprepared individuals on our missions. For this reason, we are establishing a training center for recruits. Be prepared that the path we tread is demanding.

What is the DIU

Kyrylo Budanov leads the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), having taken the role in August 2020. He's been a key figure in strengthening Ukraine's intelligence operations, especially during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Budanov is focused on modernizing the DIU and improving international cooperation.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) focuses on military capability, and cybersecurity, and acts as a central command within the military intelligence system, coordinating with other defense forces. Additionally, they collaborate with international organizations and other intelligence community members to perform various intelligence tasks essential for Ukraine's national security. 

The International Legion of the DIU is made up of volunteers from multiple continents and includes both men and women. These light, mobile units are renowned for their ability to quickly respond to and stabilize critical hotspots, having played key roles in major campaigns across Bucha, Irpin, Severodonetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Lysychansk, Donetsk, Bakhmut, Kupyansk, Kharkiv, and Chasiv Yar. Their motto, "Uniting professionals for solving extreme tasks," doesn’t shy away from the truth.

Applying

• It starts with registration on the International Legion’s Instagram page, where they can later fill out a form, state their experience and skills;

• The recruiting team will study the form and file it as a “candidate for a combat unit”;

• Commanders of different units will choose the serviceman needed;

• The recruiting team will then contact the serviceman with an invitation.

Reforms in 2023 have changed the GUR branch’s organizational structure by creating smaller, more efficient units, under a single command. This has resulted in lower casualty rates even when considering the nature of their operations. 

The Legion is seeking individuals with a deep passion for their cause, even if they lack the specific training and experience typically required. The Legion prioritizes the readiness and proficiency of its servicemen and does not send unprepared individuals on missions. To ensure this, they are establishing a training center for recruits. Be prepared for the challenging path ahead.

Applicants selected for the GUR can expect a streamlined process that takes 4-6 months from the moment applicants cross the border to when they take part in operations. Regardless of experience, every recruit goes through a well-organized and systemized process that has 5 phases:

• Initial Selection: Meeting at the border and traveling to training grounds to conduct medical checks, drug screening, psychological testing, and fitness screening.

• Adaptation Course: The remaining candidates undergo basic infantry lessons and an adaptation course to align strategies and terminology with GUR units.

• Team Assignment: Volunteers are assigned and acclimate to their squads/teams

• Pre-deployment Training: This phase lasts weeks or months, preparing volunteers for specific operations with their teams/units.

• Deployment: Volunteers join their units in active operations.

Impact

The GUR prioritizes motivated individuals with a professional mindset, understanding that even experienced soldiers need foundational training to grasp the realities of Ukrainian warfare. The unit emphasizes organized coordination and communication. The missions are daunting and require great cohesion, applicants should always value the mission and their team over individual goals.

Applicants will not be considered mercenaries. On the contrary, once a contract is signed, applicants will become full-fledged members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They will receive military pay, social security, and uniforms with Ukrainian badges. In this regard, applicants will become full-fledged combatants, siding with a legal government. The only difference in the contracts for foreign legionnaires is the ability to terminate the agreement six months after the day of signing.

Many who have joined the International Legion recognize the global threat that Russia poses. By standing with Ukraine in its defense, they are not only helping to stop the aggressor from advancing further into Europe but also potentially preventing a larger conflict with NATO. The existence of foreign fighters in this war signals to the enemy that much of the civilized world is unified in the defense of democratic values.

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