Unicorn Battalion (Ukraine)

Unicorn Battalion
батальйон єдинорогів
FormationFirst established in 2014
Region served
 Ukraine

The Unicorn Battalion (Ukrainian: батальйон єдинорогів, romanized: batalyon edynorohiv)[1] is an informal name, adopted by LGBTQ+ personnel serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, characterized by their "unicorn" insignia.[2] It is not a formal battalion, but is colloquially referred to as such, despite being a dispersed collection of personnel working in different military units.

History

Starting in 2014, following the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, some LGBTQ+ soldiers in the Ukrainian Armed Forces started wearing unicorn patches, signalling their identity. The unicorn was chosen because it is a mythical creature that does not exist, a reference to myths that there are no LGBTQ+ personnel in the Ukrainian military.[3][4] LGBTQ+ soldiers in the International Legion have also adopted the patch.[5][6] Variants of the unicorn insignia featuring different pride flags have also been seen in use.[7]

LGBTQ personnel and organizations have worked with traditionally conservative organizations such as the Azov Regiment.[8] Despite the progress in attitudes, some Ukrainian LGBTQ+ personnel still face homophobic attacks and several drawbacks due to the lack of legal recognition of gay marriage, meaning the partners of deceased personnel do not receive state benefits.[9] In early 2025, a battalion commander was demoted over discriminating against non-binary and LGBTQ personnel and prohibiting them from wearing the "unicorn" insignia.[10]

Notable personnel

References

  1. ↑ У Західному Голлівуді пройде захід на підтримку військових ЛГБТ+ [West Hollywood to host event in support of LGBT+ military members]. byvku.com (in Ukrainian). 15 June 2022. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  2. ↑ Bourke, Latika (4 March 2023). "'The first target': Why Ukraine's 'unicorn battalion' is taking the fight to Putin". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  3. ↑ Anderson, Lindsey (10 June 2022). "Ukrainian "unicorns" take to the battlefield". SGN. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  4. ↑ Garcia, Horaci; Biles, Eleanor; Stonestreet, John (31 May 2022). Lawrence, Janet (ed.). "Ukraine's 'unicorn' LGBTQ soldiers head for war". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Maslov, Sasha (18 November 2024). "Unicorn Battalion: A Project by Sasha Maslov, Renowned Ukrainian Photographer and DocU Grantee". Documenting Ukraine. Archived from the original on 6 December 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  6. ↑ Anarte, Enrique (7 September 2022). "In Ukraine, foreign LGBTQ+ soldiers find acceptance on frontlines". Reuters. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Leva, Anna (21 October 2025). "On the ground with Ukraine's LGBTQ war heroes". Washington Blade. Photos by Caroline Gutman. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "How UKRAINEPRIDE helps the Territorial defense, the Azov Regiment in Mariupol, the LGBT military and more". Vogue Ukraine. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  9. ↑ Mackenzie, Jean; Doksone, Thanyarat; Tsyba, Hanna; Levchenko, Anastasiia (25 June 2024). "LGBT troops on Ukraine's front line fight homophobia at home". BBC News. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  10. ↑ Командира, який дискримінував небінарну військову особу Евелін з Інтернаціонального легіону, понизили в посаді [Commander who discriminated against non-binary soldier Evelyn from the International Legion was demoted]. Zmina (in Ukrainian). 21 January 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.