Georgia to Ukraine: Mamuka's 32-year fight against Russia

Born in Georgia, Mamuka Mamulashvili—an economist and diplomat by training—says he has spent more than three decades fighting what he describes as “Russian imperialism,” a struggle he traces back to his early teenage years.

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“This is a journey I started at the age of 14, after joining my father, who was a commander in the Georgian army at the time,” Mamulashvili told The Star. “I turned 15 while I was in Russian captivity in Georgia.”

Mamulashvili’s involvement in armed conflict began in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, a period marked by instability and war in several former Soviet states. He said Georgia was the first country invaded by Russia after the Soviet Union’s dissolution, a reality that shaped his outlook and decisions from an early age.

“I was fighting in different wars against Russian imperialism, initially in Georgia because it was the first country that Russia invaded after the collapse of the Soviet Union,” he said. “So, Georgians have always had the motivation to fight, and Ukrainians were the only volunteers who came to support Georgia at the time.”

After fighting in Georgia, Mamulashvili said he went on to participate in several Chechen wars against Russian forces.

“After that, I fought in most Chechen campaigns, and then I came to Ukraine when it started,” he said, referring to the conflict that erupted in 2014.

Over the past 12 years, Ukraine has become the central focus of his efforts. Mamulashvili is the founder of the Georgian Legion, a volunteer unit that fights alongside Ukrainian forces.

He said the unit was formed shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in eastern Ukraine.

“I founded the Georgian Legion on April 22, 2014,” he said.

The Georgian Legion is composed of foreign volunteers, predominantly ethnic Georgians, who have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

According to Mamulashvili, the unit is fully integrated into Ukraine’s military structure but operates as a distinct volunteer formation.

“The Georgian Legion is not part of the International Legion,” he said when asked whether the unit falls under Ukraine’s International Legion. “It’s a volunteer formation that does not belong to the International Legion, like all the other formations. We are part of the Ukrainian volunteer army.”

Mamulashvili said he currently commands more than 2,000 fighters, describing the Georgian Legion as the largest ethnic formation operating in Ukraine and the first foreign formation established in the country since the conflict began.

“I have more than 2,000 men,” he said. “It is the largest ethnic formation in Ukraine and the first foreign formation in the country.

We are on most of the frontlines, depending on where professional soldiers are most needed to support the Ukrainian armed forces. We are enough to cover the entire frontline with our squads.”

Despite his long involvement in armed conflict, Mamulashvili said he also pursued formal education.

He studied diplomacy in France and economics in Georgia, even as he remained engaged in military activity.

“I received education in diplomacy in Paris, France, and studied economics in Georgia, even though I have been participating in the fight against Russian imperialism since 2014, together with my father,” he said.

Now 47 years old, Mamulashvili said his life has been largely defined by war.

“I have been fighting against Russian imperialism for the last 32 years,” he said. “I started this at the age of 14. I turned 15 while I was in Russian captivity in Georgia.”

He said he has spent much of the past decade outside his home country, citing political conditions in Georgia as a key reason.

“I was born and grew up in Georgia,” he said. “Unfortunately, the current government is pro-Russia, and Georgian people have many issues because of that. For the past 12 years, we have been away from the country under a pro-Russia regime.”

Asked whether he would return to Georgia if the war in Ukraine ended immediately, Mamulashvili said his return would depend on political change at home and the outcome of the conflict.

“Whenever the administration is changed—of course through elections—we will return to our country,” he said. “But that will be after we win the war in Ukraine.”

Like many units fighting on Ukraine’s side, the Georgian Legion relies heavily on foreign assistance.

Mamulashvili acknowledged that international support has been critical to sustaining their operations.

“Our forces generally depend on international support, including ammunition and weapons they are sending, and of course we do as well because we are part of the Ukrainian army,” he said.

Reflecting on his experiences on the battlefield, Mamulashvili said it is difficult to speak of positive moments in war, even when fighting for what he believes is a just cause.

“I think the motivation that you are doing good and saving people’s lives is the best moment,” he said. “Although in war I don’t think there are any good or better moments because, unfortunately, the truth is that you are killing your enemy, and even killing your enemy will never bring you satisfaction or a good feeling.”

He said the driving force behind his actions is the protection of civilians.

“We just have to defend Ukrainian children, women, and everyone Russia is trying to kill and destroy,” he said.

Mamulashvili said he has no regrets about his choices.

“Of course not,” he said. “We are fighting a global evil. We are fighting an army that kills civilians, rapes children, and destroys everything in its path for imperialistic ambitions. I never regret it, and I will continue to fight against Russia regardless of whatever it costs.”

In his closing remarks, Mamulashvili framed the conflict in Ukraine as part of a broader global struggle.

“Everybody should understand that Russia is a threat to the world,” he said. “Russia is the leading financier of terrorism across the world. Russia supports extremist and radical organisations and creates them wherever it can. Russia is the last barbaric empire that exists in the world. We have to unite. We have to fight, and we have to make the world a better place for all.”