NOMAD Unit (Ukraine)
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The Nomad Unit is a volunteer military formation composed of indigenous peoples from the Russian Federation, fighting for Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Established on 27 December 2024, it joined the International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine on 3 March 2025, the unit brings together individuals from various minority groups within Russia, united in their opposition to the Russian government and separatist ambitions.
| NOMAD | |
|---|---|
| НОМАД | |
| |
| Founded | 27 December 2024 |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Type | Foreign volunteer regiment |
| Role | Spetsnaz |
| Size | 200+ |
| Part of |  International Legion of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine |
| Garrison/HQ | Kyiv |
| Motto(s) | "Liberation of Homeland through the liberation of Ukraine" |
| Engagements | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Decorations | _BAR.svg){kind=small} |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Callsign: Shaman |
It is staffed mainly by Kalmyks, Tatars, Buryats, Bashkirs and Yakuts. It includes both direct volunteers as well as prisoners of war.
History
The Nomad unit was officially established on 27 December 2024 with the aims of uniting the indigenous people of Russia wanting independence from the Russian federation,[1] after "months of buerocracy" although it was unofficially operating before this date.[2] It has been officially fighting as an official unit on the frontlines since December 2024.[3]
It signed an agreement with a HUR-backed hotline for defecting Russian soldiers in late February 2025 to incorporate Russian defectors into the unit.[4] It joined the International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine on 3 March 2025.[5][6]
Composition
The Nomad unit includes Kalmyks, Tatars, Buryats, Bashkirs and Yakuts but any minorities under "Russian occupation" can join the unit. Its personnel include both volunteers and voluntarily fighting prisoners of war of the Russian Armed Forces.[5] This could violate the Article 23 of the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War which says that "no prisoner of war may at any time be sent to or detained in areas where he may be exposed to the fire of the combat zone."[7] The unit has a strength of more than 200 personnel.[3]
Commanders
- Callsign: "Shaman"[3]
References
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