Kiwis considering joining the Ukraine International Legion have been told to stay off social media – and insist family and friends don’t post anything suggesting they’re going – amid widespread online targeting of foreign fighters. That includes photos and video of dead soldiers being sent to loved ones, blackmail attempts targeting families of foreign fighters, personal details being revealed on Russian social media sites, and social media accounts of fighters and families being bombarded with abuse. The Herald has cited a case where an Auckland-based former Ukraine International Legion member has been targeted by Russian supporters after returning home injured. February 24 marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of its neighbour. Over that time dozens of Kiwis – those with or without military experience – have signed up to fight with the legion. Former MP and Defence Minister Ron Mark – who made his fifth visit to the war-torn nation in September – says posting on social media is “not a good thing” for Kiwis who are heading there and for their families back in New Zealand. That includes the potential perils of a relative making a seemingly innocent post online about a loved one heading off to Ukraine and wishing for them to stay safe. Former Defence Minister Ron Mark is well aware of the risks Kiwis fighting in Ukraine – and their families back home – face from Russian supporters. Photo / Neil Reid “People learn the hard way,” Mark told the Herald. “They may think their page is closed and they may talk about their sister [or] nephew.” But Mark said Russian intelligence was actively searching social media for any potential identities of foreigners heading to Ukraine to take up arms. A 2025 study by the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – an independent organisation based in The Hague whose work includes focusing on the intersection of countering violent extremism and criminal justice sector responses – highlighted the nefarious ways “Russian or pro-Russian individuals” were using social media. Titled Testimonies of Victims of Russian (Extremist) Doxing, researchers interviewed a variety of unnamed foreign fighters and volunteers. Findings included the social media accounts of foreign fighters and their loved ones being “doxed” – an act that had them revealed on Russian online Telegram accounts – and then flooded with abuse. Kiwi aid worker Owen Pomana (right) has seen ghastly footage posted on Russian channels of some of his volunteers dying. Photo / Supplied The research paper featured a claim that a Canadian fighter killed by a Russian sniper had been “targeted” after his online posts. Some family members had been sent incorrect messages claiming their loved ones had died in action, while scammers had also tried to “blackmail” relatives of fighters, claiming their loved ones were being held captive by Russian troops and would be “subjected to harsh treatment” unless they paid $25,000. ‘An enemy of Russia’ Mark said it was clear from his own research since first visiting Ukraine in May 2022, that any posts from either people heading there or from their families about their travel left them open to being targeted. That includes by Russian-based Telegram channel TracANaziMerc, which has targeted at least one fighter who travelled from New Zealand to join the Ukraine International Legion. The post – seen by the Herald – features the soldier’s name, photo, a link to his Facebook page and other background. It also revealed he was “badly wounded” while fighting in 2023 and how he had returned to New Zealand, and contained several derogatory comments. The TracANaziMerc has also shared photos and details of the deaths of some of the four New Zealand soldiers killed in Ukraine. Mark has also been targeted, labelled an enemy of Russia in a profile on him posted on the Russophobes website created by a group described as “patriots”. “There are Russian lines like Tracker Merc that label anyone who’s a foreign s...