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.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
"It's increasing every minute," said Czech Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Kopecny. "It's not only individuals, it's also government institutions."
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.
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashion
In the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
Kim Jong Un’s triumph: the rise and rise of North Korea’s dictator
In the Spotlight North Korean leader has strengthened ties with Russia and China, and recently revealed his ‘respected child’ to the world
-
Crossword: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
What will bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table?
Today’s Big Question With diplomatic efforts stalling, the US and EU turn again to sanctions as Russian drone strikes on Poland risk dramatically escalating conflict
-
The mission to demine Ukraine
The Explainer An estimated quarter of the nation – an area the size of England – is contaminated with landmines and unexploded shells from the war
-
Ottawa Treaty: why are Russia's neighbours leaving anti-landmine agreement?
Today's Big Question Ukraine to follow Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as Nato looks to build a new ‘Iron Curtain' of millions of landmines
-
How drone warfare works
The Explainer From Ukraine to Iran, it has become clear that unmanned aircraft are rapidly revolutionising modern warfare
-
How long can Nato keep Donald Trump happy?
Today's Big Question Military alliance pulls out all the stops to woo US president on his peacemaker victory lap
-
Are the UK and Russia already at war?
Today's Big Question Moscow has long been on a 'menacing' war footing with London, says leading UK defence adviser
-
The secret lives of Russian saboteurs
Under The Radar Moscow is recruiting criminal agents to sow chaos and fear among its enemies
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war