1st International Legion

1st International Legion is a unit of the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine.

The unit was formed in March 2022 as the 1st Infantry Battalion of the International Legion in response to the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the creation of an international fighting force to defend the country. The unit received its insignia and the nickname “Vovkodav” and was composed of individuals from the United States, the United Kingdom, Finland, Ukraine, and more.

The battalion began its first combat operation alongside the 92nd Mechanized Brigade during the Kharkiv counteroffensive in September 2022, helping to capture the city of Kupyansk and other settlements in the nearby area. It was also around this time, or in August 2022, that the unit underwent a rebranding, following the International Legion’s transition to the Ground Forces, receiving a new insignia and dropping its old nickname.

Several teams of the battalion also fought alongside the 3rd International Legion during the Battle of Bakhmut to help secure the remaining supply routes into the besieged city. The unit then fought to the east of the city in the towns of Klischiivka and Andriivka.

Insignia

The insignia displays a chevron with a yellow border and is divided vertically down the center. At its core, it features a stylized helmet topped with a plume, accompanied by a KABAR knife pointing upwards. The knife symbolizes the battalion’s designation as the first battalion.