Latest news with #ForeignLegion
New York Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
US Marine and Iraq War vet who volunteered to fight for Ukraine killed by a Russian drone strike
A US Marine who fought in Iraq and voluntarily deployed to Ukraine was killed in a Russian drone strike during a dangerous mission near the frontlines in the Eastern European country, his father said. Johnathan A. Pebley, 39, was killed during Russia's relentless bombardment of Ukraine over the last week. In just three days, Kremlin forces launched 900 drones at Ukraine — including 355 drones and nine cruise missiles overnight Sunday for the biggest aerial bombardment in the war to date. 'I'm heartbroken,' his father, Mark Pebley, told The Post. 'I'm crushed, his mother is crushed. His brothers are crushed. Everybody that ever knew him is crushed.' Advertisement Johnathan, whose call sign was Mayhem, had joined Ukrainian troops last August and was a recently assigned team leader of the Delta Knights, a Foreign Legion squad made up of a mix of Americans, Poles, Brits and natives of Scandinavian countries, his dad said. Mark, 63, said Russia's largest-ever drone attack that killed his son mostly targeted civilians — an assault that led President Trump to lash out at Russian President Vladimir Putin. Johnathan A. Pebley, an Iraq War vet and US Marine, was killed by a Russian drone strike while fighting Russians on the frontlines. Task & Purpose/YouTube 'The Ukrainians have been getting pummeled by drones, bombs and missile strikes and it's mostly civilians,' Mark, who served in the Air Force, said. 'What's going on over there is evil and atrocious and the rest of the world really needs to step up to the plate and stop what's really going on.' Advertisement Mark said he did not want to reveal the precise date his son was killed to avoid jeopardizing surviving members of his son's team who remain in active combat. Johnathan was born in a German Air Force base, but grew up in Wakefield, Mass., playing sports and listening to music. He joined the Marines a year after graduating from Wakefield High School and did two combat tours in 2008 and 2009, his father said. After his first tour, Mark said his son still believed in the mission, but he soured on it after his second tour. 'They saw things,' he said. 'They had orders that they didn't particularly agree with.' Advertisement Johnathan alluded to that change of heart in a February interview with Task & Purpose, where he talked about his renewed sense of purpose fighting for the Ukrainian people. Johnathan A. Pebley is interviewed by Chris Capelluto, the host of Task & Purpose, for a segment on trench warfare in Ukraine. cappyarmy/Instagram 'My theologies changed, my politics changed a bit, and I started to have quite a bit of guilt about my role in Iraq,' he said. 'I didn't believe that I should have been there – that we should have been there. And I kind of feel like in a karmic way, this kind of cancels that out. I'm fighting a just cause, defending a people rather than encroaching on them.' Since he left active duty, Johnathan said he had jobs as a corrections officer, a garbage collector, a restaurant owner, and lived in four different countries, but none of it ever felt right. Advertisement That all changed when he arrived in Ukraine last August after being recruited by the Foreign Legion, he said. 'This is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. I feel at home again, everything makes a lot more sense,' the Marine told Task & Purpose. 'Somehow life makes a lot more sense here than it did anytime since I got out in 2009.' The last time Mark talked to his son was May 7, while he was training for the mission that killed him. 'He's always a sticking-up-for-the-underdog type of person. He didn't like bullies,' Mark said. 'And he felt Russia was bullying Ukraine and he felt he could do some good over there. And he did.' Mark said that a brief text conversation he had with Johnathan in January sums up why his son gave up a safe life in America, where he was training to become a firefighter and EMT, to go halfway around the world to defend a people whose language he can't even speak. 'By all accounts, we are considering this a suicide mission,' Johnathan had texted his dad, seemingly knowing his fate. 'And we all agreed to f–king do it anyways. All of us, that CAN say no. Part of it is because 'F–k em' but a lot is a sense of duty. One that didn't exist in the Marines. Because it wasn't a choice. 'So if I get f–king smoked today. Just want to say that this is the best thing I've ever done with my life.'
ABC News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Australian believed killed fighting in Ukraine
Andy Park: A Queensland labourer who travelled to Ukraine three years ago to join the fight against Russia is feared to have been killed in battle with authorities yet to locate his remains. Caleb List: I wanted to test myself. I wanted to, like, again, I wanted to join the French Foreign Legion. I wanted to push myself to the extreme. So, I came here with the same motivation and basically done that. And now I just, I just do this because that's the only thing I'm really good at. Andy Park: Former Gladstone resident Caleb List speaking to the German public broadcaster last year. The ABC's defence correspondent Andrew Greene has the story. Andrew, what do we know about Caleb List's journey to the front line? Andrew Greene: He's a young man in his twenties and had lived in Gladstone in Queensland. He'd worked at the Yarwan refinery as a trade assistant, according to his social media pages. In about 2022, he noticed what was happening in Ukraine and decided to head to Europe to join the Foreign Legion in armed services. But before doing so, we also know that Caleb List had been an army cadet while at school and had tried unsuccessfully to join the Australian army. So, three years ago, like other foreign fighters around the world, he made the journey to Ukraine to enlist in that country's Foreign Legion. Andy Park: And what do we know about his presumed death? Andrew Greene: We believe that he has been missing since late April. So, members of his unit, the Foreign Legion in which he was serving, say he has not been seen since about April 28. He was taking part in fierce fighting that was occurring in eastern Ukraine in the Kharkiv region, near the city of Izhimur. But the Australian has not been heard of since and his comrades fear that he has been killed and his body has been unable to be recovered. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is not saying very much at all. In fact, it's citing privacy reasons for not commenting, but it has again reminded Australians not to travel to that part of the world. The foreign minister, Penny Wong, was speaking to the ABC this morning and did confirm that the case was being examined. Penny Wong: I'm always constrained in terms of these matters as a result of privacy. But I will just simply say that this is a very dangerous place to be. And we are assisting, providing consular assistance to a family in relation to this matter. Andy Park: Foreign Minister Penny Wong there. And Andrew, what do we know about the other Australians who have been captured or killed in Ukraine? Andrew Greene: Since the war broke out, there have been a number of Australians confirmed as killed on the Ukrainian battlefield. Precise numbers tend to vary, but it's certainly getting close to a dozen Australians who have now lost their life in Ukraine. We know there's also a high profile prisoner of war, Oscar Jenkins, who remains in Russian captivity. Earlier this week, also confirmation that in recent days, another Australian man and a former soldier, Nick Parsons, was killed while working for a non-government organisation clearing landmines in Ukraine. He was killed in an incident that is believed to involve an improvised explosive device, which killed him and a British national. Andy Park: Defence correspondent Andrew Greene.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Third Aussie feared dead in Ukraine after Queensland tradie, 25, flew to the war-torn country after he was rejected by the Australian Defence Force
A young Australian tradie who travelled to Ukraine to fight against Russia is feared dead after he disappeared during heavy fighting several weeks ago. Queensland man Caleb List had been serving the Ukrainian army along with other international recruits since first joining its Foreign Legion in 2022. The 25-year-old, from Gladstone, is believed to have died last month after being hit with artillery fire in a contested territory near the city of Izyum, in the Kharkiv region. His remains are yet to be found, a source from Ukraine's Armed Forces told the ABC. Mr List was previously rejected from serving in the Australian Defence Force before he moved abroad to fight against Russia's invasion. While at school Mr List had applied to join the army cadets on several occasions but his applications were also rejected. 'I tried a couple attempts to get in there. For obvious reasons I got rejected, just a bit young and dumb, made some bad choices,' he told SBS. Mr List decided to ditch his job at Queensland's Yarwun refinery as a trade assistant and sign up to fight for Ukraine in 2022. 'At the end of the day I'm just a mercenary and a soldier of fortune,' Mr List told SBS. 'I'm just looking for an experience and enjoyment and something to get me through life, because in Australia I didn't really have much going for me so I decided [to start] a new page.' He initially wanted to join the French Foreign Legion, but his focus changed when Russia's President Vladimir Putin launched an attack on Ukraine. Mr List explained he 'got drunk in Poland' and crossed the border, where he ended up at a gazebo with the word 'legionnaire' written across it. He fell unconscious and woke up at a training base where he eventually signed contracts to join the army, during which time he witnessed dozens of his comrades being killed and hundreds of others injured. In an interview with German international public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), the tradie reaffirmed his motivation for fighting abroad. 'I wanted to test myself; I wanted to join the French Foreign Legion, I wanted to push myself to the extreme,' Mr List told DW. 'I came here with the same motivation, and I've basically done that and now I just do this because it's the only thing I'm really good at.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has not confirmed Mr List's death and declined to comment. At least seven Australians are believed to have been killed in Ukraine, as of January 2025, however it remains unclear how many have died. Victorian man Sage O'Donnell, 24, was killed in Ukraine in December 2022 after signing up to fight one year after he left the Australian Army. Nick Parsons, a former Australian soldier was killed in Ukraine while working for a charity that clears landmines from war-torn countries. The landmine clearing expert died on May 6 after suffering extensive injuries near the city of Izyum, in eastern Ukraine. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences to Mr Parsons family - who he did not name citing DFAT advice - on Monday. 'It is important to express the deepest condolences and sympathies with his family and his loved ones at this very difficult time,' Mr Albanese said. 'I can confirm he wasn't a participant in the conflict, he was volunteering with a humanitarian organisation. 'I do want to remind Australians that Ukraine is a do not travel zone. The situation is extremely dangerous and we continue to strongly advise all Australians not to travel to Ukraine, under any circumstances. DFAT has reminded Australians of the risks of travelling to a war-torn country. 'The Australian government has consistently advised Australians not to travel to Ukraine or Russia since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022,' a spokesperson said. The federal government's travel advice has also remained unchanged. 'We've reviewed our travel advice for Ukraine and continue to advise do not travel due to the volatile security environment and military conflict,' its website reads. 'The security situation continues to be volatile. There have been many casualties. Foreigners have been killed and may be targeted. There is a serious risk to life. If you're in Ukraine... We urge you to depart if it's safe to do so.'
ABC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Australian labourer Caleb List feared dead in Ukraine
A Queensland labourer who travelled to Ukraine three years ago to join the fight against Russia's invasion is feared to have been recently killed in battle, but authorities are yet to locate his remains. Sources in Ukraine have told the ABC that former Gladstone resident Caleb List, who signed up with Ukraine's armed forces in 2022, is believed to have died last month during heavy fighting in the Kharkiv region. In an interview last year with German international public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), the young Australian outlined his motivation for volunteering with Ukraine's Foreign Legion shortly after President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion. "I wanted to test myself; I wanted to join the French Foreign Legion, I wanted to push myself to the extreme — so I came here with the same motivation, and I've basically done that and now I just do this because it's the only thing I'm really good at," he told DW. During the interview, the soldier who was previously rejected by the Australian Army, described his experience serving alongside other international recruits in Ukraine's Foreign Legion. "When you go to a Ukrainian unit you notice the whole place is clean, they have people who cook and just set up and it's nice so when you come off mission the place is nice, it's spotless," he said. "With the [foreign] legion because they're new and new people, and because people leave and come back, they remake a lot of the mistakes — so the place is sometimes dirty, it's not as well organised, they'll leave stuff behind." A figure connected to Ukraine's Armed Forces has told the ABC Mr List is believed to have been killed by artillery fire in heavily contested territory near the city of Izyum late last month, but his remains have not yet been recovered by his unit. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has declined to comment on the case, but in a statement, it reminded Australians that travel to Ukraine was considered extremely dangerous. "The Australian government has consistently advised Australians not to travel to Ukraine or Russia since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022," a DFAT spokesperson told the ABC. Before travelling to Europe, Mr List worked as a trade assistant at Queensland's Yarwun refinery. While at school he joined the army cadets but his subsequent application to become an Australian soldier was rejected. This week the ABC confirmed former Australian soldier Nick Parsons was killed in Ukraine earlier this month while working for a charity organisation dedicated to removing land mines from the war-torn country. On Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his "deepest condolences and sympathies" to Mr Parsons' family, whom he did not name citing DFAT advice, while reminding Australians to follow official warnings and not travel to Ukraine.
Business Insider
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
French ex-soldiers eye Africa return as US billionaire seeks security team for DRC mines
French ex-soldiers may be returning to Africa as part of a private security team put together by US billionaire, Eric Prince to protect mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). French ex-soldiers are being considered for recruitment to secure mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative is connected to the firm of Erik Prince, indicating a trend towards private security in resource-rich African regions. The DRC's mineral wealth and ongoing instability underlie the necessity for specialized security measures. The recruitment of French ex-soldiers is linked to a security contract with U.S. billionaire Erik Prince's firm, indicating a growing trend of private military contractors securing high-risk, resource-rich areas across Africa. According to a report by Africa Intelligence, a ' mysterious' recruiter has been reaching out to former French servicemen, particularly from the elite French Foreign Legion, to offer them a role in the DRC. The move follows recent peace talks between the DRC and Rwanda, which were part of broader efforts initiated by the United States to address the ongoing regional conflict. In exchange for stability in the region, the U.S. has gained access to the DRC's mineral wealth, which has long been plagued by issues such as smuggling and corruption. In April 2025, Reuters exclusively reported that Erik Prince had secured a deal to assist the DRC in securing and taxing its vast mineral reserves. With the DRC's immense mineral wealth and its ongoing instability, securing mining operations has become increasingly vital. This has led to the involvement of experienced personnel from around the globe, with French ex-soldiers becoming key players in this growing security landscape. Details of the security deal Erik Prince, founder of the infamous private military company Blackwater, has a contentious history in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where his firm has been involved in securing mining logistics since 2015. According to The Africa Report, Prince initiated talks with the DRC government in early January regarding mineral security, prior to the M23 rebels' major offensive that led to the capture of Goma and Bukavu. In April 2025, an agreement was reached to help secure and tax the country's vast mineral wealth, particularly in the copper-rich Katanga province. The deal aims to boost state revenue from mining, which is plagued by smuggling and corruption. The use of ex-French soldiers Erik Prince's preference for hiring ex-French soldiers likely stems from their deep experience in high-risk environments, especially in African conflict zones. With their extensive knowledge of Africa's political and security dynamics, these soldiers bring valuable skills to stabilize volatile regions. However, this reliance on French military personnel faces rejection in many African countries, particularly in French-speaking nations, where such interventions are often seen as neocolonial or undermining local sovereignty. This growing pushback is reflected in the increasing replacement of French forces by Russian military presence. The shift is particularly evident in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and others led by military juntas.
