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2023 | LII | 3 | 165-176

Article title

Kiwis on the Eastern Front: The motivations of New Zealand veterans fighting for Ukraine

Authors

Content

Title variants

Languages of publication

Abstracts

EN
According to Oleksandr Kirichuk, Ukraine’s honorary consul in Auckland, by the first week of March 2022, over 500 New Zealanders had volunteered to fight in Ukraine against Russia. The exact number of New Zealand veterans fighting in Ukraine fluctuates on a weekly or even daily basis as NZ veterans are killed, wounded or simply decide they have done enough and return home. However, from interviews with veterans, it can be estimated that there are somewhere between 15–25 New Zealanders posted to front line combat units at any particular time. The motivations of New Zealand veterans fighting in Ukraine are complex and multifaceted, reflecting a unique blend of personal, political, and cultural factors. This article explores the underlying motivations of these New Zealand veterans to engage in a conflict far from home; delving into the various personal, social, and political factors that have influenced their decision to serve in Ukraine.

Year

Volume

LII

Issue

3

Pages

165-176

Physical description

Dates

published
2023

Contributors

author
  • Massey University, Palmerston North

References

  • Clapp A., Fighters with Ukraine’s foreign legion are being asked to sign indefinite contracts. Some have refused, “The Economist, 1843 Magazine”, 11 March 2022, https://www.economist.com/1843/2022/03/11/fighters-with-ukraines-foreign-legion-are-being-asked-to-sign-indefinite-contracts-some-have-refused [accessed: 29 March 2023].
  • Graham-McLay Ch., Former New Zealand soldier killed fighting Russian forces in Ukraine, “The Guardian”, 23 March 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/23/former-newzealand-soldier-kane-te-tai-confirmed-killed-ukraine-russia-war [accessed: 29 March 2023].
  • Graham-McLay Ch., New Zealand soldier who joined Ukraine foreign legion confirmed killed, “The Guardian”, 25 August 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/25/new-zealand-soldier-who-joined-ukraine-foreign-legion-confirmed-killed [accessed: 29 March 2023].
  • Habtom N.K.-T., The Composition and Challenges of Foreign Fighters in Ukraine, “Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies” 2022, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 79–90, https://doi.org/10.31374/sjms.151.
  • McKenzie P., How the NZ Army became an iwi, Newsroom, 25 November 2018, https://www.newsroom.co.nz/peter-mckenzie-on-army-as-an-iwi-for-monday [accessed: 05 April 2023].
  • Qualifying Service, Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand, 08 February 2023, https://www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz/eligibility/qualifying-service/ [accessed: 05 April 2023].
  • Sadler R., Over 500 Kiwis volunteer to fight for Ukraine International Legion against Russia despite a ‘do not travel’ warning, Newshub, 08 March 2022, https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/03/over-500-kiwis-volunteer-to-fight-for-ukraine-international-legionagainst-russia-despite-a-do-not-travel-warning.html [accessed: 22 March 2023].
  • Ukraine says 20,000 volunteers from 52 countries sign up to fight, “The Times of Israel”, 07 March 2022, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ukraine-says-20000-volunteers-from-52-countries-sign-up-to-fight/ [accessed: 22 March 2023].
  • Zelenskyy V., Appeal to foreign citizens to help Ukraine in fighting against Russia’s aggression, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Official Website, 27 February 2022, https://www.president. gov.ua/en/news/zvernennya-do-gromadyan-inozemnih-derzhav-yaki-pragnut-dopom-73213 [accessed: 22 March 2023].
  • Terrorism Suppression Act 2002, Public Act 2002, no. 34 of 17 October 2002, New Zealand Legislation, https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0034/latest/DLM151491.html?src=qs [accessed: 05 April 2023].
  • Mercenary Activities (Prohibition) Act 2004, Public Act 2004, no. 69 of 6 July 2004, New Zealand Legislation, https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2004/0069/latest/whole.html[accessed: 05 April 2023].
  • Presidential Decree of Ukraine of 10 June 2016, no. 248/2016, amendment of 1 August 2022 about the approval of the Regulations on passing of military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine foreigners and stateless persons, https://cis-legislation.com/document.fwx?rgn=86889 [accessed: 22 March 2023].

Document Type

Publication order reference

Identifiers

Biblioteka Nauki
24020101

YADDA identifier

bwmeta1.element.ojs-doi-10_48269_2451-0718-btip-2023-3-012
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