“This is my land, and my faith is to fight for it.” — Andriy Komynar

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Andriy returned from abroad to undergo military training, knowing the war was imminent. After graduating from the Reserve Officers Training Department at the National Defence University of Ukraine, he immediately joined the Armed Forces. The legionnaire speaks English and Spanish, understands Polish and Portuguese, and can read Hebrew. He is proficient with virtually all types of small arms. Andrii has fought in Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar, Sloviansk, Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, and along the Kupiansk front. He remembers his family tree back to the fifth generation, and spends his rare free time hiking in the mountains, writing a book, and crafting bladed weapons. For him, the International Legion is like a small Zaporozhian Sich, bringing together the best people guided by their hearts.

The 3rd Legion is a special-purpose unit, focused on reconnaissance and assaults. Yet, as the war evolved, its members have also taken part in positional warfare:

“Bakhmut had the fiercest, hardest battles any army has ever fought — it was pure hell. But despite that, our fighters managed to destroy huge numbers of enemy troops. Our battalion supported the 92nd Brigade in a successful counteroffensive in the Kharkiv theater of operations, where our guys proved themselves to the fullest. Unfortunately, we had casualties and wounded, but what sets our battalion apart is that our fatalities are not excessive. We fight with strategy, not with numbers, like our enemy does.”

Believing in God, Fighting Communism

In the International Legions, the language of combat command is introduced in accordance with the composition of the team. Andriy helped recruit and form some of the first Spanish-speaking combat groups in Ukraine:

“Many of our legionnaires come from Colombia. Even though their government takes a relatively lenient approach to Russia’s aggression, these people come to Ukraine, putting their lives and health on the line, and as soldiers, they are some of the finest I’ve ever worked with. Of course, Ukrainians are the best soldiers in the world, but I can say that Colombians are truly resilient, courageous, unpretentious, and never refuse missions. Their national character is very similar to Ukrainians — they are faithful, value family above all, respect the art of cooking, and know what communism means. That’s why they are willing to fight against it. In Latin America, there were attempts at communist coups — some succeeded, like in Cuba, others failed. These people understand the Russian-communist threat and fight it here so it doesn’t reach their countries.”

Fearless People Do Great Deeds

Foreign volunteers have repeatedly shown extraordinary combat abilities:

“In November 2023, I assembled the first fully Spanish-speaking group in our battalion. On their third mission, they ambushed Russian troops and, based on confirmed reports, eliminated 12 enemies — likely more. These were Russian prisoners conscripted to the front. With smart tactics, we can defeat the enemy. Later, Colombian and Brazilian groups conducted deep operations behind enemy lines, showing how fearless people can achieve great deeds.”

Those Who Keep Faith Alive

The legion also includes Americans, Brazilians, Italians, Germans, as well as volunteers from Norway, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and many other countries. These are almost always people who understand that the cooperation of totalitarian regimes today poses a threat on a global scale:

“Muscovy constantly attacks us, destroying civilian infrastructure and killing civilians — women and children. The world sees this, and volunteers come here to stop the killings, restore justice, and defeat the enemy. Britain has become a reliable ally, and their volunteers fight for Ukraine. Russia is supported by countries like China, North Korea, and Iran — states that openly back Muscovite-Bolshevik aggression. Our true allies are people coming here on tourist visas, of goodwill, fighting global evil. They don’t pay with statements or money, but with blood and sometimes life. We are truly grateful, because life is the most precious thing. Their deeds go far beyond support on the battlefield — they give us hope and keep our faith alive.”

Goals, Motivation, and Orcs

Having fought alongside foreign volunteers for years, Andriy has studied their motivation:

“Some say they come for money. No sum is worth a life. They come to help Ukraine, defend Europe, and secure global safety. They are true volunteers. Moscow pays over $50,000 now, but the enemy throws its soldiers to die. Russians don’t evacuate the wounded even when they can. It doesn’t matter to them. All that matters is the offensive. They are truly orcs. They have no moral principles like we do.”

People Are The Most Precious Thing We Have

Evacuating wounded brothers-in-arms is one of the toughest operations and a clear indicator of the modern battlefield, which is now almost entirely monitored by drones:

“One of my soldiers lost a leg in combat because the observation post in front of enemy positions was mined. The wounded man was evacuated. We never leave our fighters on the battlefield. That’s what sets us apart from the Muscovites, who abandon their people and don’t evacuate them. To them, humans are just meat. To us, people are the most precious thing we have. Many times, foreigners and Ukrainians have saved each other at great personal risk. A soldier from the 92nd Brigade, call sign Johnny, died while evacuating one of our legion’s foreign fighters. The foreigner survived, but Johnny, unfortunately, did not. For us, our friends are sacred. We never betray them. We fight side by side, together against the enemy.”

Fear and Self-Control

Andriy has fought under artillery fire, airstrikes, mortar shells, and cluster munitions. Yet he maintains a philosophical outlook:

“Fear is natural. It is always there. But in combat, I never caught myself thinking, ‘I want to get out of here.’ You have to accept this is war: it's do or die.”

Working with the 92nd Assault Brigade

Combat is a severe trial. Given the nature of modern warfare, it’s rare to hear praise for cooperating units. Yet the officer holds the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade in high regard, with whom the 3rd International Legion usually carries out its missions:

“Their drone operations are very well organized, and we’ve felt firsthand how crucial quality air support is. Infantry is now the main force that needs to hold the occupied positions. We assault the positions and move in, and someone has to replace us and hold those positions. It’s hard work — sometimes even harder than the assault itself. Unfortunately, in war, assault units often face traditional problems with infantry. Infantry may take positions too late or get lost. But the 92nd Brigade coordinates extremely well with us. They have saved us more than once and always strive to deploy infantry on time and secure positions. Their infantry operates at a very high level. Even older soldiers, over 45, go in and get the job done. They take the positions, hold them to the last, and never retreat from the enemy. The 92nd has very strong infantrymen.”

Brotherhood of Free People

But Andriy speaks especially warmly about his own special-purpose battalion:

“For me, the Legion is a brotherhood of people who have taken up arms against our eternal enemy — Muscovy, which wants not only to conquer Ukraine but to dominate the entire Free World. It is a brotherhood of free people. A small Zaporozhian Sich, bringing together the best, guided by the call of the heart. Without this calling, foreigners wouldn’t come to us; they wouldn’t fight in our ranks. Foreign volunteers trust Ukrainians. I was directly involved in recruitment, so I know how it works and how eager people are to join us. Many come specifically thinking about joining our 3rd International Legion. Because, after all, we are among the very best!”

Text & photos: Volodymyr Patola

Video editing: Oleksandr Los