Over 20,000 foreigners travelled to Ukraine in order to provide support to Ukrainian troops in their struggle to repel the invading Russian forces, according to the BBC.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine claim that the 20,000 volunteers come from more than 50 countries. They reportedly fight the Russian invasion on the basis of special contracts as part of the International Legion, which is part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, under the command of Ukrainian military supervisors

The BBC underlines the fact that although there have been losses in the ranks of the Legion, new volunteers continue to join its ranks. According to the British news outlet, when joining the fight, foreigners “have different motives.”

“We fight for the democracy of this world against the dictator” – says one of the volunteers interviewed by the BBC. Another one, waving à Taiwanese flag, explains that his enrollment is “not only a fight for Ukraine, it is also a fight for Taiwan” and that he travelled all the way to Eastern Europe “for independence and peace.”

The BBC reminds its audience that two British citizens have already been killed in the fighting in Ukraine.

Image: Unsplash

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen