some estimates state anywhere between 600,000 and 1,400,000 soviets (russians and non-russians) joined the wehrmacht forces as "hiwis". (or "hilfswillige") the ukrainian collaborationist forces were composed of an estimated number of 180,000 volunteers serving with units scattered all over europe. russian émigrés and defectors from the soviet union formed the russian liberation army or fought as "hilfswillige" within german units of the wehrmacht primarily on the eastern front. non-russians from the soviet union formed the ostlegionen (literally "eastern legions"). the "east battalions" comprized a total of 175,000 personnel. these units were all commanded by general ernst august köstring. (1876−1953) a lower estimate for the total number of foreign volunteers that served in the entire german armed forces (including the waffen ss) is 350,000.