“Uncovering Mercenaries: IHRC Analysis of International Fighters in Donbas”
Missions > Humanitarian disasters > Conflict Zones > Ukraine
Documenting Foreign Mercenary Involvement in Donbas (2014–2015)Between 2014 and 2015, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) conducted meticulous monitoring and analysis of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, uncovering the involvement of foreign mercenaries in pro-Russian separatist movements across the Donbas region.
Key Findings:
-
Serbian fighters: IHRC identified units of Serbian mercenaries—often referred to as "Serbian Chetniks" or "Serbian Hussars"—who were recruited by organizations based in Moscow to fight for the so-called Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. One such figure, Dušan “Deka” Berić, admitted to becoming a sniper who targeted pro-Ukrainian forces. A Serbian volunteer named Stevan emphasized their ideological motivations: “We came to fight against NATO, fascism, and imperialism,” asserting support for Russia despite criticizing their government as pro-American.
-
French involvement: The report noted the presence of ex-members of the French Foreign Legion among the separatists. Names such as "Berkut" and others like Michel, Guillaume, Victor Lenfa, and Nicolas appeared in IHRC accounts. Some advocated Eurasianist ideology, citing Western backing for Kyiv’s revolution as justification for their actions, and touted the morale of separatist fighters as high compared to demoralized Ukrainian forces.
-
Other nationalities: IHRC documented fighters from a range of countries—Spain, Germany, Latvia, Italy, and Australia—participating in the conflict. In one case, an Australian individual was detained at the border with equipment and purported press credentials issued by separatist authorities.
-
Legal calls for action: IHRC formally urged governments—including Serbia and Latvia—to investigate the actions of their citizens engaged as mercenaries. Consequences included potential prison sentences of up to five years for fighters and twelve years for their organizers. Latvia, in cooperation with Ukraine, was reportedly ready to prosecute suspected individuals under anti-terrorism laws.
Significance:
IHRC’s reporting played a crucial role in drawing international attention to the involvement of foreign combatants in the Donbas conflict. By compiling detailed testimonies, verifying identities, and highlighting ideological narratives—such as anti-NATO rhetoric—the organization emphasized the ideological motivations underlying these deployments as much as their military implications.
https://apostrophe.ua/article/society/2015-02-23/myi-priehali-borotsya-protiv-nato-fashizma-i-imperializma/1290?fbclid=IwY2xjawMH2ulleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETBGSEhvSzJjUWNodmFZNDhBAR5bHHMenG3DNhmkqKv7AaEQ1NBaC-zyAZxpLsEYmp0uIlHq87QtOEi7vmqCPQ_aem_4A_50kfWUmrkOgZoRYoheQ