The 12th Azov Brigade announces the formation of an International Battalion, composed primarily of foreign nationals who have been serving successfully in the brigade since 2024. The unit is led by Lieutenant Colonel Yuriy “Karl” Chekh. Recruits are undergoing several months of training, and the battalion is being presented with a battle standard.
3rd International Battalion 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov”
About unit
The unit brings together fighters from 40 countries around the world, fighting side by side with Ukrainians for freedom. Regardless of their country of origin, each of them is drawn to Azov’s professionalism and discipline, whose standards remain unchanged for foreign fighters.
In the year and a half since the battalion’s formation, its fighters have gained combat experience in the Toretsk and Dobropillia sectors and have made their mark on the brigade’s history by capturing 18 prisoners in 24 hours during a single combat mission.
The unit continues to expand, recruiting new volunteers and building up its combat capabilities.
Symbols
History
The international battalion begins its combat operations in the Toretsk sector, specifically in the villages of Yablunivka and Oleksandro-Kalinove.
In September 2025, Captain Pavlo “Kil” Kurchenko took command of the International Battalion. Under his leadership, the battalion has been successfully carrying out missions in the Dobropillia sector.
During one such mission in the village of Zolotyi Kolodiaz, foreign fighters from the International Battalion took 18 prisoners in a single day, setting a new record within the brigade.
Commander
Pavlo “Kil” Kurchenko
CaptainHe participated in the Revolution of Dignity. From 2016, he served in the 503rd Separate Marine Battalion, carrying out combat missions in the Mariupol sector until 2019. In 2020, he joined Azov. On February 25, 2022, he arrived in Mariupol—where he was seriously wounded, evacuated by helicopter from Azovstal, and returned to duty almost immediately. He served as commander of the 1st Company of the 1st Battalion and later became deputy battalion commander. Since September 2025, he has led the 3rd International Battalion.
