A Telegraph Best Book 2025

'Elegant and terrifying, the story of those who gave up life in the West for Ukraine's frontlines - some to save democracy, some to save themselves. A modern-day Homage to Catalonia - and Fight Club on steroids.' - Oliver Poole, London Standard

'A great read' - Mark Galeotti

'Brilliant' - The Daily Express

With real-life echoes of SAS Rogue Heroes - this is an astonishing account of Europe's biggest major conflict, told through the eyes of a ragbag collection of foreign fighters

Three days after Russian tanks roll into Ukraine, President Volodymr Zelensky issues a desperate appeal for foreign military volunteers to help defend his country. Thousands answer the call from all over the world: some of them experienced soldiers, others novices who've never held a gun before.

Among their ranks are high-minded idealists, adventure-seekers bored with civilian life, and ex-criminals seeking redemption - all risking their lives against the world's most vicious superpower. Some flee at the first sign of trouble, others become heroes; many are killed, and a few turn their guns on each other.

This is their story - often terrifying, often tragic, sometimes comic, and sometimes glorious...