[TheDandyMan]

They aren’t mercenaries, they’re duly-sworn members of the regular Ukrainian military who are British nationals (assuming they are indeed Ukrainian Marines, there’s certainly been articles in past years highlighting the program that allowed foreigners to join regular Ukrainian units). The terms of service usually include receiving Ukrainian citizenship after certain requirements are met, to my understanding.

Incidentally, Hessians were auxiliaries, not mercenaries. Mercenaries fight of their own accord, whereas the Hessians and troops from other german principalities were hired out by their governments without input from the troops. In some instances, the rulers of the petty states received more money for a soldier killed than a soldier who returned alive.

[drSteve78]

You are correct about auxiliaries.

[drSteve78]

I remembered Hessians from 5th grade US History class, way last century.

Wars are nasty business, to say the least.

[Alberta's Child]

Good points there.

Regardless of whether one is a "mercenary" or an "auxiliary," the reality is that these people are not protected by any of the international conventions of warfare.

Interestingly, it would have been considered unseemly and/or unethical under the standards of warfare at the time for Gen. George Washington to launch a surprise attack at dawn against British troops at Trenton during the American Revolution. Those rules and standards went out the window because the targets were Hessians, not British.