Chosen Company, previously known as the 312:th Swedish Volunteer Company, is a volunteer unit fighting for Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Its volunteers come from over 31 countries, but are primarily United States citizens.[1]
| 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 † |
History
editThe company was formed in 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine as the 312:th Swedish volunteer Company. It was led by Swedish military veteran Edvard Selander Patrignani until his death in combat on 18 July 2022.[2] At the start of 2023, the company was renamed Chosen Company, to better represent the units multi-national composition and became attached to the 59th Motorized Brigade.[3] The company fought in the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.[4]
In 2024, German medical officer Caspar Grosse spoke to the New York Times about three incidents where members of Chosen Company allegedly killed Russian POWs. In the first alleged 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. However, these allegations were denied by the company's commander.[5]
Structure
editAs of July 2024 the company's structure is:
- 1st Rifle Platoon
- 2nd Rifle Platoon
- 3rd Recon Platoon
- 4th Drone Squad
- 5th Pioneer Squad
- 6th Support Platoon
References
edit- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 2024-07-08. Retrieved 2024-07-08.