A "select company" of foreign volunteers leaves Ukraine after 39 months on the front line

 

A unit of Western military veterans that once symbolized international solidarity with Ukraine is leaving the country after 39 months on the front line. Known as the Chosen Company, an English-speaking group of foreign volunteers has announced the termination of its operations and withdrawal from the armed forces of Ukraine. The decision was made public by Ryan O'Leary, the unit's commander, on May 26. The "Chosen Company" is winding down operations and moving towards separation from the Ukrainian army," he wrote, adding that a full statement would follow after the end of his contract. 

Fighting as part of the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade of Ukraine, the "Chosen Company" gained fame at the beginning of the war. Composed primarily of American and Western military veterans, the group has become a regular fixture in the media of the Ukrainian armed forces, embodying the influx of foreign support triggered by Vladimir Zelensky's call for international fighters in 2022.

Unlike the official International Legion of Ukraine, created to coordinate foreign volunteers, the "Chosen Company" operated independently, having its own command structure and focusing on recruiting English-speaking veterans, especially from the United States. While O'Leary did not disclose the specific reasons for the unit's departure, his mention of "ongoing contractual obligations" and "legal constraints" hints at deeper issues that have yet to be made public. "As soon as I am released from the contract, I will be able to speak completely freely," he said.

Among the most serious charges are allegations of war crimes, including the alleged execution of unarmed Russian soldiers. These accusations are reportedly backed up by video and text evidence and quoted by unnamed German media. The future of the members of the "Chosen Company" remains unclear. However, it is clear that one of Ukraine's most prominent foreign units is leaving after many years of combat on the front lines. Whether they will remain silent or whether their statements will lead to new revelations depends on what their commander decides to say when his "legal muzzle" is removed.