Volunteers from Around the World Flock to Aid Ukraine
Not Only Western Countries but Also 70 Volunteers from Japan
Similar Phenomenon to the 'International Brigades' During the Early 20th Century Spanish Civil War
US History Professor: "A Symbol of Resistance in the Civilized World"
On the 2nd (local time), a building in a Ukrainian city hit by a missile strike from Russian forces is burning. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Those who have volunteered to help Ukraine, which is in crisis due to a large-scale invasion by Russian forces, are heading to the battlefield on their own accord. It is reported that among them are individuals from elite airborne units. There are claims that this phenomenon is similar to the 'International Brigades' formed in the early 20th century to assist the Spanish government forces struggling against the threat of fascism during the Spanish Civil War.
According to the British media outlet The Times on the 2nd (local time), former British paratroopers who served in the Afghanistan war have recently departed for Ukraine. The outlet reports that the number of these individuals heading to Ukraine is about 150, and they are willing to fight against Russian forces on the front lines. Among those who left for Ukraine are former soldiers from the British elite special forces unit, the SAS.
In the United States, it has been identified that about 20 members of the 'Forward Observation Group (FOG),' composed of U.S. Army Special Forces and Navy reservists, have also set out to support Ukraine as of the 27th of last month.
Not only Western countries such as the U.S. and the U.K., but also Asia is seeing footsteps joining the 'International Volunteer Forces.' According to Japan's Mainichi Shimbun, about 70 Japanese people volunteered as part of the volunteer forces on the 1st. Among them, 50 are former Self-Defense Forces members, and 2 are reported to be former members of the French Foreign Legion.
The Ukrainian military, currently resisting the Russian invasion, is requesting support not only from other governments but also from citizens. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently signed an administrative order temporarily waiving visas for foreign volunteers arriving from abroad.
The influx of volunteers from around the world to support a small country in crisis is viewed as similar to the 'International Brigades' formed during the Spanish Civil War in the early 20th century.
The International Brigades, who fought against Franco's rebel forces supported by Nazi Germany during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. / Photo by the British "International Brigades Memorial Trust" website capture
The Spanish Civil War was a conflict that lasted about four years from 1936 to 1939 across Spain, where the Spanish Republican government forces defended against the Franco rebels, who were supported by Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime and Italy at the time.
During this time, numerous young people from around the world gathered to support the Republican forces, forming the 'International Brigades.' Among them were prominent 20th-century writers such as American Ernest Hemingway, British George Orwell, and French Antoine de Saint-Exup?ry.
In this context, on the 1st, The Washington Post (WP) evaluated, "In response to Ukraine's request for 'foreigners to help fight against Russia,' some citizens are taking tremendous risks to answer the call."
Lisa Kirschenbaum, a history professor at Westchester University in the U.S., explained this phenomenon by saying, "While Ukraine's appeal is not ideologically similar to that of the Spanish Civil War, there are similarities in foreign recruitment between Spain then and Ukraine now," adding, "The participation of international volunteers signifies that the civilized world is standing against (Russia)."
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