“Day 3 of combat and still alive, man. This is intense stuff. An ambush earlier destroyed several vehicles, tanks, and other materials they have been using.

Progress is being made, as well as losses. To any volunteers coming, probably a one way ticket, dude. This isn’t Iraq or Afghanistan. The next 5 minutes isn’t even guaranteed. Don’t come here thinking you’ll stack bodies because you won’t. These aren’t dirt farmers with 50 year old AK’s.

You’ll get humbled to real, REAL combat and violence real quick. This isn’t a game. I fired more rounds here in 2 days than 4 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. This is not a game, and this is not fun. Choose carefully before you decide to be a hero.”

– Western Volunteer. Invasion of Ukraine. February 26th, 2022.

This story was documented by Nicholas Laidlaw.

Every soldier has a story, and every story deserves to be told.