I learned about the war in Ukraine from the news and social networks - and I realized that I could not stay away. I wanted to support Ukraine, because I believe that no country should live under the oppression of another, each should be free. That is why I decided to come and support the Ukrainians in their struggle for freedom.

I served in the Colombian police for 21 years and I know what fighting is. But what I encountered in Ukraine is a completely different war, both in terms of the scale of fighting and the reasons. In my country there was an internal conflict, here in Ukraine - a war against the Russian invasion for the very right of the Ukrainian people to have their own state.

Upon arrival in Ukraine, I had to learn a lot from scratch. But the military training was very meaningful. From the first day we were prepared for real situations. Special attention is paid to combat medicine: applying tourniquets, stabilizing the wounded - things that can save lives. The instructors gave very useful knowledge. It is very important to study well here, because soon this knowledge will have to be applied in practice.

Of course, there was adaptation, because here is a different language, a different culture. At first, it was sometimes difficult, but gestures helped a lot to better understand the words.

In Ukraine, military service is paid very decently. And this is important, because everyone has needs and certain obligations. But your motivation is also very important, your willingness to really help a country that needs it. And the most important thing is your internal readiness to be part of the Ukrainian army. Those who want to play at war should not come here. Because this is a real war, for which you need to be physically and psychologically prepared.

Before coming to Ukraine, I had experience serving in the Marine Corps, worked in a private security company, participated in various operations. The great injustice that Russia has done to Ukraine motivated me to come here.

Don’t come for the adventure – come only for the conviction, believing that you are doing the right thing. Respect the country you are going to, respect the people who are responsible for you, respect your commander.

On your trip to Ukraine, I recommend that you don’t take too many things with you. Take a couple of changes of clothes and underwear and a couple of sets of socks. After you sign the contract, you will be given all the necessary things, equipment and comfortable shoes.

There is an atmosphere of great brotherhood in the Ukrainian army. We are all fighting for the same cause – human dignity and justice. We fight for what is right.

There is not much free time in military service. When it appears, I recommend learning the Ukrainian language and doing physical training, for example, going for a run. You can get distracted a little, but the main thing is to always be ready.

I think it is very important to learn the language of the country where you are, so that there is no language barrier. In my opinion, Ukrainian is not a very difficult language to learn, especially when you are dealing with Ukrainian brothers and sisters. Communicating with them allows you to learn quickly.

Glory to Ukraine!

I joined the Ukrainian army and served in the 60th Brigade, 98th Battalion. I was part of the anti-drone unit during the fighting near the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region. Well, it was a tough fight, but thank God we repelled the enemy attack.

The war in Ukraine is very different from the one we saw in Colombia. Because it is a very high-tech war. We didn’t have drones or anything like that back then. And in Ukraine we are constantly faced with different new technologies and new methods of warfare.

What the russian ruler vladimir putin is doing to this beautiful country is very unfair. After all, russia is already the largest country in the world, but it still wants to invade another country for its minerals and other riches, which Ukraine has. But this country believes in God, and God will help us win.

Ukrainians are very friendly people. This is a very beautiful country with an interesting culture. The attitude of Ukrainians towards foreign volunteers is very friendly. So don’t worry about it and come with a positive attitude. The Ukrainian army treats foreign volunteers very well. Here you will first undergo military training. You will also be paid a decent salary that will allow you to provide for your families.

We are brothers in arms with Ukrainians, there are no problems between us.

Glory to Ukraine!
 

I served in the Colombian armed forces for eight years, performing various tasks in different regions of my country. And I came to Ukraine with military comrades who had already taken up the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression. They explained to me the best way to get to Ukraine and how to be accepted into the Ukrainian military service. After that, I went from Colombia to Spain, then to Poland, and from there to Ukraine.

You only need to take the most necessary things with you on the road. After all, when you arrive at the military unit, they will give you everything you need. My equipment consisted of various elements, all new and of the highest quality, the weapons are very good. In general, the Ukrainian army has a lot of different weapons, which are mostly modern. Military training is also at a high level. The information I received in the field of communications  and  first aid was especially useful to me. Everything was explained very well.

I gained a lot of new experiences during the approximately 20 months I was here. Every day something completely new happened. I had to adapt to the environment, but there was always an opportunity to understand each other and remain myself.

In my free time, I first of all call my family to talk. In addition, I am studying Ukrainian. Here in Ukraine, when we don't know Ukrainian, we most often use English or Spanish or sign language, but I have already learned some Ukrainian words and can communicate.

Every person who decides to join the Ukrainian Defense Forces must be clearly aware that from the moment they decide to go to war, they must be physically and psychologically prepared for very different situations that they may encounter.

My mother is Italian and my father is French. In addition to their languages, I also speak English, Spanish, Portuguese and a little Ukrainian. The nickname “Fox” was given to me in the International Legion by a Georgian volunteer. From that moment on, I became “Fox” — I’m happy with it.

I learned about the service in Ukraine through social networks — I watched videos on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook. There’s a lot of content there.

I used to serve in the French army. But in Ukraine now, technology is better, it’s a completely different level. Ukraine is in a full-scale war. That’s why everything is changing, adapting and moving forward here quickly. One of the main directions is drones. To become a drone operator, you first need to understand the role of drones in war. Drones are very useful — whether in the offensive or in the defense, drones deliver water, food and everything necessary to the front line. Because if you drive a car, you can be hit, but with drones it is faster and without risk to life.

A new branch of the Armed Forces has been created in the Armed Forces of Ukraine - the troops of unmanned systems. We are forming new units and looking for people who have already joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and want to study to become drone pilots. But first of all, when you join the army, you need to go through basic training. Then it is important to learn to work with other units, to perform combat missions accurately and qualitatively. Your work - the work of one person - can affect the entire battalion and the success of future missions. Units in positions, lines of defense - all this is safe, because the drone operator performs his task quickly and qualitatively.

Now I am undergoing rehabilitation after being wounded. When I was wounded, the Ukrainian military immediately applied bandages, homeostatic, a tourniquet - everything very quickly. And within 5-10 minutes I was evacuated. One guy picked me up and took me to the first medical point - to check the wound. Then I went through three more medical stations — for additional checks, getting medicine, new homeostatic bandages to make sure there were no fragments.

After that, I was sent to a hospital in Kharkiv, where they removed several fragments from my body. I stayed in Kharkiv for 4 days, after which I was sent to Khmelnytskyi, where I underwent a number of other examinations. There, a professor, a doctor, performed the operation on me. We spoke English. In hospitals, I spoke English or Ukrainian with the doctors, because I understand it a little. Some Ukrainians do not speak English, but communication was still simple.

Everything was very good in the new hospital: medicines, antibiotics — if you need something, they bring it to you right away. The medical examination and everything else was done very quickly. And if, as in my case, an operation was needed — everything was done very quickly. The surgeons are very professional.

To the guys who plan to come to Ukraine and join the ranks of the Ukrainian army, I want to advise you – first of all, look for more information. Because there are many options here to realize yourself in various specialties. If you have no experience, there is training for combat medics, tactical training, training with all types of weapons and training to become drone operators. There are many options. It is important to be morally and physically ready for the tests, because war is no joke.

Brazilian volunteer Carmo talks about his service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

My call sign is Carmo. That's the name I go by here in Ukraine. I've been in the military since I was 18, so after finishing my service at home, I came here without hesitation.

I had been following Ukraine since the Maidan and knew from the first days of the war that I had to be here.

I served in several units and was stationed in the Kherson and Donetsk regions.

After contacting the Foreigners' Recruitment Center, I was greeted professionally and helped to complete all the stages of registration without any problems. Now Ukraine has become my second home.

In Ukraine, I met people with big hearts — sincere, courageous, and ready to help. I never had any problems here: whenever I asked for help, I always received support. Ukrainians are incredibly sincere and strong people. I am impressed by the spirit of Ukrainians, their determination and faith.

I recommend that anyone planning to come here prepare themselves physically and mentally, train, and most importantly, have a valid passport.

I believe that we will win because I see how Ukrainians are fighting not only for their land but also for the freedom of the whole world.

Glory to Ukraine!

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!

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.