The 'Freedom of Russia' Legion
Formed in March 2022, the 'Freedom of Russia' Legion is a military unit operating under the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It functions as part of the International Legion of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense. The unit recruits from Russian citizens and individuals from third countries, including European nations. In Ukraine alone, there are over 100,000 ethnic Russians holding Russian passports, some of whom are actively involved with the Legion.
Recruitment Process and New Recruits
Only citizens of the Russian Federation are accepted into the 'Freedom of Russia' Legion, with Ukrainian citizens considered in exceptional cases. The recruitment process includes:
- an interview,
- a military medical commission,
- a psychological test, and
- security vetting.
Fighters who voluntarily surrender their weapons can join the Legion through the 'I Want to Live' project. According to the Legion's press service, many new recruits are individuals 'deceived by the system' who decide to fight for good after witnessing their commanders' crimes against civilians.
Shamil Lukozhev, a Legion fighter, signed his contract on September 27, 2021. Originally from Ossetia, he was deployed to Crimea on January 9, 2022, but defected to Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Lukozhev reported being wounded by an FPV drone during a combat mission. He also noted that most of his friends have left Russia for Georgia and Armenia, and his mother opposes the Putin regime.
Lukozhev expressed the view that if Putin were killed, 'the entire Russian people would only be grateful.'
He believes Ukraine's victory should involve not only reclaiming territory to its 1991 borders but also the dissolution of Russia, arguing that 'in the 21st century, you cannot own such a large country.' He added that he has no plans to leave Ukraine, even if the war ends.
The Legion's press service emphasized that their operations are supported by a vast network of informants and activists inside Russia, enabling successful missions like the recent sabotage of locomotives, which disrupted logistics to Crimea. This network is vital to the unit's functioning, as it requires a team of specialists who cannot always be recruited through the standard process.
The 'Freedom of Russia' Legion highlights the complex dynamics of the conflict in Ukraine, showing that there are Russians willing to oppose the Putin regime. The recruitment of new fighters and the support from an informant network within Russia point to active resistance and efforts to change the country's situation. It also underscores that the war has not only a military but also a political dimension, which could shape the future of Russia and its neighboring states.