Georgian Legion Leader: “We Defend Those Who Cannot Fight”

The Georgian Legion is the most powerful foreign unit in the Ukrainian army. The troop is commanded by Mamuka Mamulashvili. He has been fighting the Russians in Ukraine since 2014. We met the 45-year-old in Kiev for a chat.

Georgia has a lot of experience in dealing with Russia. What have you been observing since the February 2022 invasion?

Mamuka Mamulashvili: It is quite difficult to understand the Russian mentality. In any case, little has changed since the establishment of the Russian Federation at the end of 1991. We see nothing new on the battlefield and in the acts of violence by the Russians. Russia is a mafia state and Russian soldiers behave like gang members. They commit war crimes in Ukraine, just like we do in Georgia or Chechnya. We Georgians remember well that we were the first country to attack Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. To this day, 20 percent of our territory is occupied by Russians. Everything I saw in Ukraine was already familiar to me: torture, rape of children. These are the first signs of the so-called Russian world.

Ukraine is preparing a counter-offensive, but it has rained a lot and the ground is still muddy. Should the counterattack be postponed?

The counter-offensive does not depend on the weather, but on the war material that Ukraine receives. Sufficient artillery ammunition and tanks are especially important. The morale of the Ukrainians is good and they are mentally ready for the counter-offensive.

Who actually fights in the Georgian Legion? Are there also Swiss?

I founded the Georgian Legion in 2014, when we were only about 10 members. In 2016, our unit was integrated into the army. Today we have about 2,000 fighters, including 15 women. 70 percent of our soldiers have Georgian roots, the rest are divided over 30 nationalities. So we are multinational and have zero tolerance for racism and extremist views. Once upon a time we also had a Swiss soldier. In addition, Swiss people who had served in the army but had no war experience contacted us. That’s why we couldn’t include them. In general, it is an honor to fight alongside people who fight for freedom. We defend those who cannot fight themselves. The Georgian Legion saved many Ukrainian citizens.

How do you see Switzerland’s role in this war?

Swiss neutrality will have a negative impact on the security situation in Europe. There is black and white, and in today’s world we have to choose between good and evil. Ultimately, indecision is supporting evil.

Georgia has been governed by a pro-Russian coalition since 2012. What does this have to do with Ukraine?

A large part of the Georgians do not want to be part of the Russian world, so very similar to here in the Ukraine. This is also evident in the recent protests in Georgia against a government-planned law that would have labeled many aid agencies and organizations as “foreign agents”. So similar regulations as we know them from Russia. The demonstrators were able to block the law for the time being, showing that they do not want to live in a country where the Kremlin ultimately has the say. My sister is a member of parliament in Georgia, but she has left the opposition because it is divided and unable to stand up to the government and pro-Russian politicians.

What are the connections between Ukraine and Georgia?

Our countries are both on the Black Sea. The connections go way back in history. Ukrainian Cossacks already fought in the army of the Georgian king. We are convinced that Georgia’s freedom will also be defended in Ukraine. Ukrainians were the only ones who supported us in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 1992 against the Russians. They sent a volunteer battalion. Therefore, our presence in Ukraine should come as no surprise. We have a friendship that has grown over the centuries. Our legion is held in high esteem by the Ukrainian people. The common destiny of both countries is very much present in the Ukrainian consciousness. (aargauerzeitung.ch)