Solidarity (special unit)
| Solidarity (Solidarnist) Special Unit | |
|---|---|
| Спецпідрозділ «Солідарність» | |
 Shoulder patch | |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Allegiance |  Ministry of Defence |
| Branch |  Main Directorate of Intelligence |
| Type | Spetsnaz |
| Role | Reconnaissance, counteroffensive and sabotage |
| Size | 80—250[1] |
| Motto | Solidarity is unity! Unity is Ukraine![2] |
| Engagements | |
| Website | https://www.solidarity.army/ |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Zaza Nanuashvili |
| Notable commanders | Kakha Tilidze † |
The Solidarity Special Unit (formerly International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine “Solidarity” (“Solidarnist”)[3]) is a special forces unit within the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. It was formed by Georgian and other foreign volunteers.
History
The “Solidarity” unit was established as part of the International Legion at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by former special forces officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia Zaza Nanuashvili, who had been defending Ukraine since 2014 as member of volunteer formations. The unit included volunteers from Georgia and other countries.[2]
As of November 2023, the unit was known as the International Legion “Solidarity”. In November 2024, it became known that the unit had been incorporated into the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (DIU) as a separate special unit.[4]
Open sources report that the Solidarity has taken part in the Battle of Bakhmut,[5] as well as operations on the Zaporizhzhia[6] and Kharkiv[7] fronts.
Structure
The unit includes strike UAV groups:
- Otamany FPV Group
- Mimino FPV Group
Command
- Commander — Zaza Nanuashvili
- Deputy commander — Kakha Tilidze (killed in action 11 January 2025)
Casualties
- Kakha Tilidze (1985–2025) — deputy commander of the Solidarity Special Unit, Georgian volunteer. Killed on 11 January 2025 on the Zaporizhzhia front.[8]
- Levan Parkaia — Georgian volunteer involved in logistical support of the unit in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia sectors. Killed on 15 February 2025.[9]
- Anton Voitenko (1985–2025) — fighter of the Solidarity special unit. Killed on 14 August 2025 while defending Kharkiv Oblast.[7]
Commemoration
On 9 May 2023, a documentary film Bound by Blood by journalist Oleh Manchura was presented in Kyiv at Ukrinform. The film is dedicated to Ukrainian–Georgian military brotherhood and, in particular, to the Solidarity Unit. Commander Zaza Nanuashvili attended the presentation.[6]
On 1 September 2025, Ukrainian film director Taras Tomenko stated in an interview with Berliner Zeitung that he was working on a documentary film about Kakha Tilidze and other fighters of the Solidarity Unit. The film was in post-production.[10]
Volunteer support
The unit receives assistance from the International Charitable Foundation “Solidarity” and its president Oleksandr Petrovskyi.[5][6]
References
- ↑ "Solidarity Special Unit". MilitaryLand. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
- 1 2 "Solidarity. Special Unit of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Official website" (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2026-04-10.
- ↑ "Solidarity Legion" (in Ukrainian). 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
- ↑ "Solidarity announces recruitment" (in Ukrainian). 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
- 1 2 "Reconnaissance fighters of the Solidarity Unit of the International Legion help defend Ukraine". D1 TV Channel (in Ukrainian). 2024-03-07. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
- 1 2 3 ""Bound by Blood": film and book about Ukrainian–Georgian struggle presented in Kyiv". Novynarnia (in Ukrainian). 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
- 1 2 "Heroes do not die!" (in Ukrainian). 2025-08-15. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
- ↑ ""Do not think your death was in vain" – Kakha Tilidze, killed in Ukraine, buried". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Georgian). 2025-01-21. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
- ↑ "Levan Parkaia R.I.P." (in Ukrainian). 2026-02-16. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
- ↑ "Taras Tomenko: "The West cannot use Ukraine's victory at the moment"". Berliner Zeitung (in German). 2025-09-01. Retrieved 2026-04-10.