Chosen Company
| Chosen Company | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | February 2022 – Present |
| Allegiance |  Ukraine |
| Branch | International Legion |
| Role | Shock troops |
| Motto(s) | Voluntas, Virtus, Violentia |
| Engagements | Russian Invasion of Ukraine |
| Website | https://thechosencompany.org/ |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Ryan O'Leary |
| Notable Commanders | Edvard Selander Patrignani † |
Chosen Company previously known as the 312. VOLUNTEER COMPANY is a pro-Ukraine volunteer unit fighting in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is primarily made up of citizens from the United States but also includes volunteers from over 31 different countries.[1]
History
The company was formed in 2022 during the Russian Invasion of Ukraine as the 312 Volunteer company. The company was led by Swedish military veteran Edvard Selander Patrignani until his death on 18 July 2022.[2] At the start of 2023, the company was renamed Chosen Company and became attached to the 59th Motorized Brigade.[3] The company fought in the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.[4]
Accusations of shootings prisoners
In 2024, German medical officer Caspar Grosse reached out to the New York Times to talk about three incidents where members of Chosen Company killed Russian POWs. In the first incident dated August 2023,a severely injured, unarmed Russian soldier was crawling through a trench and begging for help in a mix of broken English and Russian. The Russian was then shot in the chest by a member of Chosen Company. When the Russian soldier continued to move and breathe, another fighter shot him in the head.[5]
Structure
As of July 2024 the company's structure is as follows:
- Chosen Company
- 1st Rifle Platoon
- 2nd Rifle Platoon
- 3rd Recon Platoon
- 4th Drone Squad
- 5th Pioneer Squad
- 6th Support Platoon
References
- ^ https://thechosencompany.org/
- ^ Redaktören (2022-07-21). "Minnesord: Löjtnant Edvard Selander gav sitt liv för Ukraina". Militär Debatt (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ "Australian man fighting with Ukraine killed in Russian artillery strike". ABC News. 2023-11-19. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Rommen, Rebecca. "'Frag out!': Dramatic helmet-cam footage appears to show US volunteers of Ukraine's Chosen Company clearing a Russian trench". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (2024-07-06). "In Ukraine, Killings of Surrendering Russians Divide an American-Led Unit". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- CS1 Swedish-language sources (sv)
- Articles with short description
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- Military units and formations established in 2022
- Pro-Ukraine foreign volunteer units in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Military units and formations of Ukraine in the Russian invasion of Ukraine