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I have been in Ukraine for two years now. Our military training – both practical at the training ground and theoretical – was very thorough. We had the opportunity to undergo both theoretical training and practical in the field. We were prepared for combat operations at a very good level.

I always follow the news, so I have been aware of how events in Ukraine have developed since 2014. The call for support and assistance from the Ukrainian state finally convinced me to come here and try to do everything possible. I have been helping others all my life, so I thought: why not help Ukrainians in their struggle?

My route was as follows: by plane from Buenos Aires to Bogota, from Bogota to Madrid, where we spent 24 hours, then a flight to Denmark and then to Krakow. In Krakow, we were met by Ukrainian volunteers who took us by car to the border. From there we took a train to Ternopil, where we joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

I brought a lot of things that I shouldn’t have taken. Two years ago there were still assumptions that the Ukrainian army lacked equipment. In fact, now you need to go to Ukraine with the minimum necessary. Now the Ukrainian military is well-equipped with everything you need.

Therefore, you need to take only the most necessary things that can fit in one backpack. Everything else will be given to you here. What’s more, they will also give you a lot of different equipment. You won’t lack for anything, especially when you go into battle. Here you will see a lot of the latest developments.

Ukrainians are wonderful about foreign volunteers. I made many friends and comrades-in-arms here. The food here is different, but good. Dumplings, borscht – dishes of traditional Ukrainian cuisine are delicious. In my free time, I mostly train, walk, read, and try to learn the wonderful Ukrainian language. I advise those who want to join the ranks of the Ukrainian army, in addition to physical training, to be morally prepared for the fact that war is not a game.

I came to Ukraine from Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. I decided to come to fight side by side with the Ukrainians because I saw the news about the terrible suffering that the invaders caused here. Then I realized that I could not just sit back and let this happen - and decided to become part of the fight against Russian tyranny. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is simply a disgrace. I believe that the entire civilized world should unite to provide Ukraine with support against the invaders.

I came to Ukraine - and this is the best thing I have ever done. My friends supported my choice and send me packages. I tell them that I am fighting here so that they do not have to fight with the invaders later. I also fight for my beautiful girlfriend in Kiev. This gives me a lot of motivation to fight against the Russian invaders.

When I arrived in Ukraine, it was 4:00 in the morning and I got off the train, and the air raid siren was wailing outside. It was a very harsh welcome, but I quickly got used to it. Ukraine is a wonderful country, the people here are amazing, kind and hospitable. I also see incredible courage and resilience. I would really like to live here after the war. My girlfriend and my colleagues are happy to teach me Ukrainian.

A few months after the Russian invasion, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced the creation of an international legion. First, I registered on the website of the Ukrainian International Legion, and then arrived in Ukraine. My journey was from São Paulo to Lisbon, from there to Warsaw, and then by bus to Ukraine.

In Brazil, I was not a soldier, but worked as a carpenter. In Ukraine, I first received the necessary basic military training and learned a lot. Sometimes the training was more difficult than it was later on the front. This training really prepared me.

Now foreign volunteers who want to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine can find all the necessary information on the Internet, on TikTok or YouTube. I would like to advise you not to bring a lot of things with you to Ukraine. Only the most necessary personal belongings. Because you will get a lot here. The fewer things you bring, the better.

The Ukrainian people have great sympathy for Brazilians. I felt this not only in the Armed Forces, but also throughout Ukraine. Ukrainian cuisine is very diverse. I fell in love with Ukraine and am now studying Ukrainian. It is a very beautiful language.

In Colombia I served in the army for 7 years, and then I came to Ukraine. I have been here for about a year, serving in the Marine Corps.

The Ukrainian army has very good training – a bit different than in the Colombian one, but very good.

I really enjoy communicating with Ukrainians. I learn a lot from them, I have made good friends here. In the two units where I served, I made friends with many Ukrainians. There is great respect between foreign volunteers and Ukrainians. I learned a lot in the Ukrainian army. I gained a wonderful experience in Ukraine, which opens many doors for me.

I served in a combat unit of the Marine Corps for about eight months. Now I want to rest a little and I intend to continue serving in a new unit. I would like to stay in Ukraine.

I also like to cook, and I had an interesting culinary experience in Ukraine. Some Ukrainian dishes are very tasty. Ukrainian borscht is very tasty.

Miller Duque: Colombian Volunteer Defending Ukraine

Miller Duque, call sign “Anjey”, is a Colombian soldier with over 8 years of service experience. He has been helping Ukraine in its fight for its freedom and independence for over 15 months. The story of the volunteer “Anjey” is an example of courage, dedication and mutual support between peoples in times of war.

Miller came to Ukraine not out of duty, but out of a calling of the heart to support the Ukrainian Defense Forces. He served in the "Carpathian Sich" units and the "140th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Marine Corps", where he gained invaluable experience and skills that help him cope with the challenges on the battlefield.

According to him, the main difference between the war in Ukraine and his native Colombia is technology, in particular, the use of drones and artillery. But, despite this, he emphasizes the importance of professionalism and brotherhood among the military, regardless of the country.

For Miller, the path of a volunteer is not just a duty, but a true passion and an opportunity to contribute to a great cause. "We are here not by force, but by the call of the heart. Together we are strong!" - says Miller.

After the Ukrainian recruiter approved my application, I left Guatemala for Colombia, from there to Spain, then to Poland, and from Poland I came to Ukraine.

In my homeland, I already had basic military experience, served in the army, and in Ukraine I received much more thorough military training. I fought in the assault infantry in the Kursk and Belgorod regions. It is important that we had the support of drones and artillery. My last combat mission was to storm enemy trenches. We took the trenches, defended the position, and then help arrived, and we evacuated.

In Ukraine, I felt supported both in battle and outside of it. Here I was accepted as a relative, as one of my own. Ukrainians support you, when you are with them, you feel good company. They accepted me as if I were part of a Ukrainian family.

I urge my compatriots to come and support Ukraine, which is repelling the Russian invasion. The biggest advice I want to give to foreign volunteers is to come morally and physically prepared. Because this is a war.

Volunteer from Colombia Harley Olarte, under the pseudonym Rochii.

Tells how he learned about the possibility of serving in the International Legion in the Ukrainian Defense Forces:

- I learned about it from a friend of mine, with whom we previously worked in Colombia, he gave me the contact information of the recruiter Sergeant Ortiz, and it was he who was responsible for sending me.

How the trip to Ukraine went:

- I flew from Bogota to Spain, then from Spain to Warsaw, in Warsaw I took a bus and arrived in the city of Ternopil and began the incorporation process.

Rochii says that in Colombia he was a professional soldier in the National Army and therefore training in Ukraine was simple and understandable for him.

- My training here was basic, because I had already served in the Colombian armed forces.

And what about food and financial support?

As for my support process - there were no problems, everything you want: from fruit and more. We live well, you get what you want. The food is great. The financial support is excellent, on time and in full. They provide everything. I have not had any health problems.

Rochii adds:

- The people here are very humane, they make you feel at home, like among brothers. They gave me personal military documents.

Advice to volunteers who want to join the Defense Forces of Ukraine

- I think I would advise you to prepare yourself physically and psychologically, because you are going to war here. Materially - everything is great, new equipment, uniforms, weapons - everything is in perfect condition. Here, they really fulfill everything they promise: both in financial terms and in medical support and equipment. I would advise you to join, because this is a cause in which the Ukrainian people suffer great injustice.

Luis "Fighter", Peruvian volunteer

I went from Peru to Spain, from Spain to Poland, and from Poland to Ukraine. In Peru I worked as a security guard in Lima, and in Ukraine I became a professional soldier.

In Ukraine, we were trained for a month - both how to fight and tactical medicine. We mastered the most modern weapons and military equipment. Ukrainian officers shared their combat experience with us. They are very attentive and answered our various questions.

The Ukrainian army pays good money, as well as free support, including medical. We were provided with everything we needed, even socks. We lacked nothing, and as for food, we even had fruit. But it is no less important for me that I fight for democracy and against injustice, when a large country attacks a smaller one.

I invite South Americans to go defend Ukraine. This is a good, but at the same time risky service. Therefore, those who primarily want to appear impressively on TikTok should not go here.

I am a medical instructor in the 4th International Legion. My service is to prepare soldiers for combat medicine before they go into battle. We also train combat medics for the front line. My main task is to help those who go to the front line learn about medicine so that they can not only destroy the enemy, but also save lives - their own and those of their comrades.

I am also a translator in the 4th International, because I can translate from Ukrainian to Spanish.

I want to say that we received very good equipment, and it was a pleasant surprise for us. Depending on what combat work you will perform, you will be given certain equipment. If it is an assault group, then it is one thing, if it is defense, then another, but the equipment is very good. Here no one plays with lives, and everyone is very serious about not losing people. In this sense, Ukraine has a lot to offer other countries, including Europe.

The experience that Ukraine gained in this war is unforgettable and incomparable with previous wars in Iraq, Afghanistan or Colombia, where there were no drones and so many mines. Here it is a combination of almost all previous wars, and the equipment continues to adapt depending on the situation on the front. Here, the officers taught us this from the very beginning. I had previous military experience, so it was easier for me to adapt.

Military training in Ukraine meets NATO standards, but is better adapted to modern warfare.

When the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called for foreign aid, I decided to respond and try to help the Ukrainians.

I learned a lot in Ukraine. All the units I served in were very professional. Of course, thorough training is what you will need if you are serious about going to the front. This is one of those things that you are either ready for or not. And I will say it unequivocally: if you want to take part in combat, then prepare yourself physically and morally. Many foreigners I know have gained great combat experience in Ukraine.

I found many friends in Ukraine, both among officers and ordinary soldiers. The Ukrainians I met had brave hearts and were ready to go forward. Therefore, I am simply proud that I can fight shoulder to shoulder with them and be involved in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!

This video tells the story of a young volunteer from Serbia who came to help the Ukrainian people after the Russian invasion. In the video, he talks about how he learned about the opportunity to join the Ukrainian Army Forces online, his first steps in the legion were, the different types of training he received with military instructors from different countries, and how it helps the fighters on the front lines.

“I am an anti-aircraft missile system operator, although I previously worked in private security in Brazil,” says Filipe from Rio de Janeiro, call sign “Bandera.”

Filipe arrived in Ukraine in 2022. He arrived to Poland by plane, and then traveled by train.

After arriving in Ukraine, Filipe underwent training. According to him, everything was high-quality and well-organized. The training lasted from one to two months, and they provided everything: weapons, ammunition, documents, food.

“We are really well received here. Ukrainian officers treat us as members of one big family. There is a real brotherhood between foreign volunteers and Ukrainians,” he says.

“Bandera” gained combat experience near Kherson and in the Kramatorsk region, and recently in the Kharkiv region, performing tasks to storm enemy positions and conduct reconnaissance.

“It was difficult, but we managed to complete the mission and return safely. Thank God,” he says.

Philippe claims that the level of provision is very high: weapons, ammunition, body armor, uniforms, food - nothing is missing. Everything is of very high quality.

Advice from Philippe to volunteers who want to join the Ukrainian defense force:

“Prepare yourself physically, psychologically, and understand that this is a real war, anything can happen here, but if your intentions are firm - the doors of Ukraine are always open and you will be welcomed here.”