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.