Ukrainian expats travel back home to join fight against Russia: 'It's our country'
Ukrainians sprawled across the European continent have begun returning home to aid their countrymen in the former Soviet nation's fight against Russia, The Wall Street Journal reports Monday.
In general, the male and female volunteers — who likely emigrated in search of work and wealth in "Europe's wealthier countries" — have zero combat experience, little training, and largely no weapons of their own, writes the Journal. Upon arrival, they will take up arms alongside the civilian volunteers who've already pledged to fight.
"It's our home, it's our country, and I don't have a different one," Dmytro, a returning Ukrainian, told the Journal.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I would love not to fight, and be alive, but this is the time where if I want to be able to look myself in the mirror, I have to, have to go," added Nikita Azarkhin, a Ukrainian tattoo artist who had been living in Berlin.
"I wouldn't be able to sit with my family at the table if I didn't join the fight," Oleg Lamaha, who had been residing in Poland, continued, as he walked toward the border. "I've never been a fighter…It took me six hours to decide: When the fighting starts, you just have to go."
Non-Ukrainians are entering the fray, as well, notes the Journal.
In one instance, a group of Belarusians living in Poland wrote in a volunteer-rallying Facebook group that they had left for Kyiv to fight. In another, residents of the Czech Republic on Saturday donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a weapons purchasing fundraising campaign begun by Ukraine's embassy in the country; within a day, even, "about seven foreign embassies had reached out to help," the Journal writes.
"It's increasing every minute," said Czech Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Kopecny. "It's not only individuals, it's also government institutions."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Bird flu worries mount as virus found in milk, cows
Speed Read The FDA found traces of the virus in pasteurized grocery store milk
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Palazzo Durazzo Suites in Genoa: a palatial gem in northern Italy
The Week Recommends Live your Italian dream in this astonishing and recently restored palace in the heart of the city
By Nick Hendry Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 25, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - TikTok in the firing line, protests on campus, and more
By The Week US Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran attack hinder support for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Pro-Kyiv allies cry 'hypocrisy' and 'double standards' even as the US readies new support package
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Where has the Wagner Group gone?
Today's Big Question Kremlin takes control of Russian mercenaries after aborted mutiny and death of leadership
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published