The Falcon Unit is part of the 1st Battalion of the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We are a light infantry unit operating on the front lines of the defense of Ukraine.
The 159th OMBr stands for combat experience, resilience, and brotherhood. Our soldiers hold positions in critical combat zones, carrying out missions that demand discipline, endurance, and teamwork.
Falcon is more than a name. It is a symbol of sharp vision and decisive action. We are not special forces. We are light infantry, and we carry out our mission with the weapons, training, and brotherhood we have.
"Either all of us come back, or nobody comes back. Nobody will be left behind."
The Falcon Unit is built on people, not equipment. What keeps a soldier alive in the field is not only skill. It is the person beside him. We fight as one, we endure as one, and we come home as one.
In this unit, the man next to you is not a colleague. He is your brother. You will eat together, freeze together, endure together. When things go wrong, and they will, the only thing standing between you and breaking is the person beside you. We do not leave people behind. Not in the field, not in spirit.
Anyone can show loyalty when things are easy. True loyalty is what you give when you are exhausted, when you are afraid, when every instinct says to look out for yourself first. In the Falcon Unit, we hold the line for each other when it is hardest to do so.
In combat there is no time for long explanations. You act because you trust your squadmates completely. That trust is built slowly, in training, in shared hardship, in small moments. By the time you are in a trench together, words are unnecessary. You already know.
Rank governs command. It does not govern care. When a brother is cold, you give him your coat. When a brother is breaking, you sit with him. When a brother falls, every soldier in this unit feels it. We do not hide that. Shared grief is part of what makes us human and keeps us strong.
Our soldiers come from different countries, different languages, different backgrounds. None of that matters here. What matters is the person to your left and your right. Foreign volunteers are not guests in this unit. They are full members of the Falcon family from the first day of training.
Those who gave their lives in this unit are not forgotten. They are spoken about. Their names are remembered. Sgt. Dangelo and others who fell before him are part of every mission we carry out. We honor them not with silence, but by being the brothers they believed we could be.
The standard assault rifle of the Falcon Unit. The AK-47 is legendary for its reliability under mud, dust, and extreme cold. Easy to maintain in field conditions, it is the core individual weapon of every soldier in our unit.
The PKM is the squad's primary machine gun, providing sustained suppressive fire and covering infantry movement. In the trenches and open fields of eastern Ukraine, the PKM gunner is one of the most critical roles in the squad.
The RPG-7 is the unit's primary anti-armor and bunker-busting weapon. Reliable, simple to operate, and devastating at close range, it is carried by dedicated grenadiers in every squad. In urban combat and trench warfare, the RPG-7 is a critical tool for engaging fortified positions and light vehicles.
The GP-25 mounts directly under the AK-47, turning a standard rifleman into a grenadier without sacrificing his primary weapon. It fires VOG-25 fragmentation rounds effective against infantry in the open and in trenches. At ranges where the RPG-7 is too powerful and direct fire is too risky, the GP-25 fills the gap.
Monthly monetary compensation for all servicemembers of the unit. A stable base paid regardless of deployment location.
Additional monthly bonus for deployment in active combat zones and execution of high-risk missions. Amount varies based on mission type and threat level.
Paid for every 30 days accumulated in direct combat operations. Days do not need to be consecutive and are counted across your total service. In practice this bonus is typically paid out every 3 months.
In video games you respawn after death. In real war you do not. Wounds in Ukraine mean months of rehabilitation, permanent disability, or death. Bullets, artillery fragments, and drones do not distinguish between veterans and first-day recruits.
Modern warfare in Ukraine is defined by massive use of artillery, FPV drones, and minefields. The majority of casualties come from explosions, not direct firefights. You may never see the enemy but you will feel his strike.
PTSD affects a significant portion of combat veterans. The death of brothers in arms, constant fear, and exhaustion leave marks that do not easily disappear. Psychological recovery after combat is a long and difficult journey.
Combat positions mean cold, mud, no normal sleep, and relentless tension. Months without proper hygiene, with strained relationships back home. This is not an adventure. It is grueling work in service of survival.
Since 2022, Ukraine has suffered tens of thousands of civilian casualties. Millions became refugees. Entire cities have been reduced to rubble. This is the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
Despite all the brutality, people choose to fight because they understand that if no one defends Ukraine, the threat grows for everyone. The conscious choice to protect is one of the most serious acts a human being can make.
We are not looking for those chasing adrenaline or adventure fantasies. We are looking for people who understand the true cost of standing a post. If you are ready to take on that responsibility with your eyes fully open, only then should you read on.
All candidates must pass the following physical fitness tests before being accepted into the unit. These are minimum standards, not targets. Candidates who exceed them are preferred.
A 3,200 meter run completed within 16 minutes. Tests cardiovascular endurance and the baseline fitness needed to move under load in the field.
20 consecutive press-ups completed within 60 seconds. Tests upper body strength and endurance essential for carrying equipment and weapon handling.
30 crunches completed within 60 seconds. Tests core strength and abdominal endurance, which is critical for movement in full kit and trench operations.
Scale and clear a two-meter wall without assistance. Tests functional strength, agility, and the ability to overcome obstacles under field conditions.
If you are a foreign national considering joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine, here is what you need to know before making contact.
Yes. Ukraine legally permits foreign nationals to volunteer for military service under Ukrainian law. The International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine was formally established in February 2022, and foreign volunteers serve under contracts governed by Ukrainian military law. You will be signing a formal contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
You do not need to speak Ukrainian to join, but it is strongly recommended to learn basic military commands and field vocabulary before deployment. English is commonly spoken among foreign volunteers and many liaison officers. Translation support exists within the unit, but in combat you need to understand orders immediately. Invest time in language basics before you arrive.
You will need a valid passport, proof of any prior military or law enforcement service if applicable, and documentation of any relevant skills or training. A criminal background check from your home country is typically required. Falsifying documents or concealing a criminal record is grounds for immediate dismissal and possible prosecution under Ukrainian law.
This depends entirely on your home country's laws. Some countries, including the United States, Germany, and others, may have provisions regarding serving in a foreign military. You are solely responsible for understanding and accepting the legal consequences in your home country. Ukraine will not be held responsible for any citizenship issues you face. Research your own country's laws carefully before enlisting.
Foreign volunteers serving under a formal contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces are entitled to prisoner of war status under the Geneva Conventions, the same as any regular servicemember. However, Russia has in some cases treated captured foreign fighters as mercenaries rather than POWs, which carries severe legal consequences including execution under Russian law. This is a serious risk you must understand and accept before enlisting.
Prior military experience is not a hard requirement, but it is a significant advantage and will affect which roles are available to you. Candidates with no prior service will undergo basic military training before deployment. Candidates with verified combat or infantry experience may be placed faster. Either way, you will be assessed and trained before being assigned to a front-line position.
You are responsible for arranging and funding your own travel to Ukraine. Entry is possible through several neighboring countries including Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Moldova. Upon arrival you should make contact with the recruitment office through verified official channels only. Be extremely cautious of unofficial recruiters or third-party brokers, as fraudulent schemes targeting foreign volunteers have been reported.
You sign a contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Desertion or unauthorized departure from your unit during active service is a criminal offense under Ukrainian military law and can result in prosecution. If you have serious concerns about your service, the correct procedure is to raise them through your chain of command. Do not enlist unless you are prepared to honor your contract.
Foreign volunteers under contract receive the same military medical care as Ukrainian servicemembers, including front-line stabilization, evacuation, and hospital treatment. Ukraine has a functioning military medical system with both domestic hospitals and international support. However, specialist care, long-term rehabilitation, and repatriation costs may not be fully covered. Ensure you understand what your country's veterans programs, if any, cover for foreign service before enlisting.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces make efforts to identify and repatriate the remains of foreign servicemembers, but the process can be slow and complex depending on where and how death occurs. You should designate a next-of-kin contact and prepare a will or instructions for your personal belongings before deployment. Do not leave these matters unresolved before you travel.
Send us a photo of your passport via our WhatsApp group. We will use it to prepare an official invitation letter for military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This document is required for your entry and enlistment process.
Travel to our recruitment base in Ukraine using the invitation letter. You are responsible for arranging and funding your own travel. Entry is possible through neighboring countries including Poland, Romania, and Moldova.
Upon arrival you will go through the military medical commission to confirm you meet health standards. You will then sign your service contract, receive your equipment, and begin your training with the unit before front-line deployment.
If after reading this page you still want to serve, we are proud to have you in the Falcon Unit. Join our WhatsApp group to get in contact with our recruitment team.
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