| Unit Name: | 3rd Special Purpose Battalion International Legion |
| Native Name: | Ukrainian: 3 батальйон спеціального призначення Інтернаціонального легіону<br>3 batalion specialnogo priznachenya internacionalnogo legionu |
| Dates: | 27 February 2022[1] - present |
| Country: |  |
| Type: | Foreign volunteer battalion |
| Size: | 500 (Estimated October 2022)[2] |
| Role: | Spetsnaz |
| Command Structure: | International Legion Defence of Ukraine |
| Garrison: | Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast |
| Motto: | "We Go First" |
| Battles: | |
| Commander1: | Bohdan (May 2022 - present)[4] |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Field insignia |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Former field Insignia |
The 3rd Special Purpose Battalion of the International Legion (Ukrainian: 3 батальйон спеціального призначення Інтернаціонального легіону|translit=3 batalion specialnogo priznachenya internacionalnogo legionu), also commonly referred to as the 3rd Battalion of the International Legion or the 3rd International Legion, is a formation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, functioning as part of the International Legion Defence of Ukraine formed on 27 February 2022.[1] The battalion is one of four units within the structure of the International Legion. The battalion is unique compared to other battalions in the Legion due to its designation as a Special Purpose Battalion.
According to published sources of the battalion, the unit has been attached to the 92nd Mechanized Brigade in combat operations.
On 27 February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an announcement declaring the establishment of an international fighting force to assist in defending the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion.[5] [1] Alongside the creation of an International Legion, included the creation of battalions making up the structure of the unit. The battalion was the third of several battalions to be made within the Legion, alongside the 1st Battalion and 2nd Battalion, it was designated as a 'Special Purpose Battalion'.[6]
It was reported by Grey Dynamics that many Latin American volunteers are common in the International Legion, notably Brazilian volunteers which are in the battalion as well as others including 1st Battalion.[6]
In May 2022, after several accusations of misconduct and other allegations, a Ukrainian military commander by the identity of "Bohdan" moved from the command of the 1st Infantry Battalion to the 3rd Special Purpose Battalion.[4]
The battalions' insignia differs greatly to other battalions of the International Legion. The insignia is displayed in the shape of a circle with the inscriptions of the battalion's designation abbreviated at the top, as well as 'International Legion Defence of Ukraine' being displayed at the bottom of the insignia. In the middle of the insignia is a circular stripe with a Nordic style pattern being visible, in the center of the insignia is a Ukrainian Tryzub symbol in the shape of a sword. At the bottom of the Tryzub is a Valknut displayed, once again being of Nordic origin.
In March and April 2023, during the Battle of Bakhmut with Ukrainian forces rapidly losing ground in the direction of the city, the 3rd Battalion of the Legion alongside several teams of 1st Battalion including the Kenobi Death Korps as part of Bravo I Company from the 1st Battalion participated in the defense of Bakhmut. The International Legion regarded the battle as "one of the most gruelling battles since the beginning of the war". One of the legionnaires mentioned that during the battle, fighting was non-stop with heavy shelling, machine gun fire, and rockets being fired for 24 hours a day. Amidst the heavy fighting, the legionnaires contributed to repelling Russian attacks on the flanks of Bakhmut and securing the remaining supply routes into the besieged city.[7]
In July 2023, it was reported by the International Legion that a team from the battalion had captured a Russian soldier when assaulting Russian positions in eastern Ukraine.[8]
On 29 August 2023, Malcolm Nance, a member of the battalion, stated that the battalion was deployed to the Donbas front for the Ukrainian summer counteroffensive and required vehicles including Pinzgauer Armored Personnel Carriers, armored Land Rover Defender trucks, and Polaris ATVs.[3] [9]
Malcolm Nance, a former United States Navy officer and former MSNBC news reporter, was known to be a member of the battalion since he volunteered to join the International Legion. He has helped in raising funds for the battalion.[9]
As of 2023, the battalion's structure is as follows: