The Russian invasion of Ukraine came as a surprise, and one of the unexpected developments was the creation of the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine.
Thousands of volunteers from various countries, including Denmark, joined the legion. Some were veterans from their national armed forces, some were untrained newcomers, and some had violent pasts related to extremist environments or other conflict zones.
The scene they found was chaotic. An entire legion was being formed on the spot, with low security and informal militias operating alongside the official legion.
This report by DIIS outlines the process of forming the legion and tells the story of Danish volunteers. It shows how this mobilization challenges traditional ideas about warfare and the role of individuals in it, potentially forcing governments to reconsider their stance on citizens participating in foreign conflicts. Finally, it suggests recommendations for developing rehabilitation programs for returned volunteers.
Source: DISS – Danish Institute for International Studies
