Georgian Legion (Ukraine)

The Georgian National Legion is a paramilitary unit formed by ethnic Georgian volunteers fighting on the side of Ukraine in the War in Donbass. The unit was organized in 2014 with the declared aim "to stand up to Russian aggression". The group is commanded by Mamuka Mamulashvili, a veteran Georgian officer.[1][2]

"Glory to Heroes", a stencil graffiti in Tbilisi, depicting the late volunteer Alexander Grigolashvili, in 2015.
Battalion patch

Formation

As of 2016, there were at least 100 Georgian volunteer fighters in the Legion's ranks. Most of them were former Georgian Armed Forces servicemen with military experience, veterans of the 2008 war with Russia and international missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. On 5 February 2015, the Georgians' service was appreciated by the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kiev Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret, by awarding 29 Georgian fighters a medal for their "love and sacrifice for Ukraine".[3] Later, the Georgian Legion was joined by more foreign fighters, including those from Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Greece, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Armenia, and Israel.[4]

Involvement of individual Georgians on the Ukrainian side was, to a degree, encouraged by the then-Ukraine-based former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili and his associates from Georgia's United National Movement party.[3] The death of Alexandre Grigolashvili, the Legion's first fatal casualty, in action on 19 December 2014 sparked a controversy in Georgia. In its statement, Georgia's Ministry of Defense blamed Grigolashvili's death on "representatives of former authorities", referring to the former president Saakashvili and his allies. Following a negative public outcry, the Ministry removed the statement from its website and apologized for its text.[5]

Activity

The Legion conducts sabotage and reconnaissance activities, and also instructs and trains Ukrainian soldiers. Also repeatedly participated in positional battles.

Integration with the Ukrainian military

In February 2016, the Georgian Legion was officially integrated into the 25th mechanized infantry battalion "Kyiv Rus" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[6] It fought in eastern Ukraine under the overall command of the 54th Mechanized Brigade. In January 2018, the Legion announced its withdrawal from the brigade citing the "incompetence" of the brigade's command[7]. This came after a costly operation conducted near Svitlodarsk[8] on 16 December 2017 that resulted in the injury of 11 Georgian fighters. The Legion's commander Mamulashvili said the unit remained committed to the Ukrainian cause and moved to another brigade and added that the decision was not connected to a political conflict between Mikheil Saakashili and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.[9]

References
  1. "The Georgians of Ukraine. Who are they? • Ukraїner ∙ Expedition through Ukraine!". Ukraїner ∙ Expedition through Ukraine!. 2019-08-11. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  2. Waller, Nicholas (26 February 2016). "American Ex-Paratrooper Joins Georgian Legion Fighting in Ukraine". Georgia Today. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  3. Kakachia, Kornely (2016). "Georgia and the Russian–Ukrainian conflict". In Besier, Gerhard; Stoklosa, Katarzyna (eds.). Neighbourhood Perceptions of the Ukraine Crisis: From the Soviet Union into Eurasia?. Taylor & Francis. p. 148. ISBN 9781317089117.
  4. "British conflict medic joins Ukrainian forces in Donbas". Unian. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  5. Rukhadze, Vasili (8 January 2015). "Death of Georgian Volunteer in Ukraine Sparks Controversy in Georgia". Eurasia Daily Monitor. Jamestown Foundation. 12 (4). Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  6. "Georgian Legion join Ukraine Armed Force". Ukrinform. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  7. "UAWire - 'Georgian Legion' leaves Ukrainian Armed Forces". uawire.org. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  8. Mariamidze, Tea (20 December 2017). "Heavy Shelling Wounds Georgian Legion Members in Eastern Ukraine". Messenger Online. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  9. "Georgian Legion Commander: we moved to another brigade within Ukrainian Armed Forces". UAWire. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
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