I am Luis Ortiz, from Colombia. When the war started, I decided to join the Ukrainian army, having military experience. The training is at a high level, and the army is very professional. Anyone who wants to help can join and get a contract and opportunities for development.

I watched the video and saw many innocent deaths. The Ukrainian people were treated unfairly. That’s why I decided to come to Ukraine and join the Ukrainian army. I also wanted to learn more about what was happening in this war, because sometimes people say things on social media that are not true.

From Honduras I came to Germany. And from the German capital Berlin I got to the Ukrainian city of Ternopil, where I joined the Ukrainian military. Here I could focus on sniper work, because in my country I served in the navy and was a good shooter. The Ukrainian military is very kind to me, the officers are attentive and take our opinion into account. And the Ukrainian civilians are very friendly and have great respect for the foreign volunteers who came to defend Ukraine.

In the Ukrainian army, the volunteers are well provided for. You get a uniform, the necessary equipment, and a decent salary. You will have everything you need and you can climb the career ladder.

On vacation, I live like a normal civilian. I can ride a bike, go to restaurants or shopping malls, read.

The Ukrainian Army Offers Top-Level Training and Support – Says Colombian Volunteer "Chestnut Brown"

Jaime Andrés Pérez Parra, a volunteer from Colombia (callsign Chestnut Brown), served in an assault unit of the Ukrainian Marine Corps. He made a long journey from Colombia to Ukraine, where he first underwent intensive military training.

“I trained for five months and learned everything about assault, ambush, reconnaissance, and retreat. I trained with NATO instructors,” he shares.

“Chestnut” fought on the Kursk front and is currently awaiting transfer to another combat unit. He speaks highly of the training and combat experience gained in Ukraine and is very satisfied with the weapons, gear, and overall support provided by the Ukrainian military.

“Chestnut Brown” encourages foreign volunteers to come to Ukraine and fight against the Russian invasion, but emphasizes the importance of being physically and mentally prepared for combat.

I came here to support Ukraine because it deserves it. This is a free country. And I feel that this country has always deserved freedom — for the sake of its children, for the sake of the kindness of these people who sincerely accept and appreciate you. For me, it is a pride — that Ukrainians are sincerely grateful to me for coming to help their country.

I am also here because I like serving in the army. The Ukrainian army is very powerful and technologically advanced. There is everything here that unites forces and inspires hearts: strength, unity, energy. And this is what I like.

I advise those who want to come to Ukraine to come prepared psychologically and physically, because this is a real war. You should not come here if you want to play around. You also have to be very disciplined, because a lot depends on discipline, especially on the battlefield.

During my time here, I had the opportunity to serve with Argentines, Brazilians, Peruvians, Americans. I have good relations with all of them, but I especially became friends with the Peruvians. It is nice to serve with people who truly support each other as friends. Our unity with the Ukrainian military gives us the strength that moves us forward.

Glory to Ukraine!

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 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.”

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.

russia has done a very unfair thing to Ukraine. Just watching what is happening here seemed wrong to me. I am only 21 years old, but I decided that I could come and help the Ukrainians in their fight.

At the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion, many believed that Russia would win in a few days. The Ukrainians have been protesting against it for four years now. The russian offensive in 2025 has slowed down a lot. Now they have managed to seize less territory than at any time since the start of the full-scale war.

I think that the Ukrainian people have a strong fighting spirit. Ukrainians are strong people. They are ready to continue the fight and will not give up. I know this for sure.

Ukraine is a very beautiful country. When I first came here, it snowed and everything was white. Then I was in positions for a month and when I came back, everything was already green. I have never seen such a green country.

The people here surprised me very pleasantly. Because I had heard a lot before that people in Eastern Europe were mean. But no, the people here are very kind.

I had very good military training in the International Legion. I would advise you to do it. Don't come here alone, come with a friend. I think it will be easier for you to adapt to military service if you come with people you know. Everything works better in a group.

So, if you are planning to join the Ukrainian army, just click on the link in the description. It will take you where you need to go.

Glory to Ukraine!