The GeorgianNational 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.
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". 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. Involvement of individual Georgians on the Ukrainian side was, to a degree, encouraged by the then-Ukraine-based former President of GeorgiaMikheil Saakashvili and his associates from Georgia's United National Movement party. 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.
Activity
The Legion conducts sabotage and reconnaissance activities, and also instructs and trains Ukrainian soldiers. Also repeatedly participated in positional battles.
In February 2016, the Georgian Legion was officially integrated into the 25th mechanized infantry battalion "Kyiv Rus" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 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. This came after a costly operation conducted near Svitlodarsk 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 UkrainePetro Poroshenko.
