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Previously, I was a professional soldier for 10 years, serving in the Peruvian Marine Corps. I was the commander of a unit in which I maintained discipline and order. When I learned about Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, I soon decided to go to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian army has very effective military training. I must say that war has changed a lot. War used to be different from what it is now. Even during training, we immediately saw how much has changed.

The attitude of Ukrainian officers and soldiers is very good. Although we do not speak the same language, we understand each other. After all, now there are many opportunities to understand each other. But we learn Ukrainian whenever possible. I want to say that on the other side of the world, very far from home, we have found true friendship and fighting brotherhood with the Ukrainian military.

You can come to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian people repel aggression and free themselves from Russia. So that peace reigns here. In particular, I invite you to my 21st Mechanized Brigade.

I have been in Ukraine for three years. I am currently serving in the 25th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade as a tactical medicine instructor, and previously I was an FPV drone operator and an anti-tank systems operator.

I learned about the opportunity to join the Ukrainian army in 2022 — I saw a post on Twitter about the creation of the International Legion. In 2023, I underwent infantry training in the 2nd International Legion, as well as specialized training as an anti-tank systems operator — this was my main specialization. We had very good instructors. Later, I transferred to the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, where I underwent training as an FPV drone operator.

Now my brigade has very good combat training. You also need to be mentally prepared. You need endurance and understanding of where you are going. After all, this is war. Psychological resilience must be high in order to remain strong and decisive in combat positions.

I have very good relations with my colleagues - with brothers-in-arms and with friends. I also communicate well with Ukrainian officers. They have come a long way in terms of integrating foreigners into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The officers treat you as an equal, and it is simply fantastic.

In my free time, I like to play computer games, and most of all, when I have the opportunity, I like to travel around Ukraine. It is a very beautiful country. I am studying Ukrainian and already speak it quite well. Of the dishes of Ukrainian cuisine, I really like borscht with sour cream. The perfect combination is borscht, sour cream and lard. I also really like dumplings with meat and sour cream. This delicacy is one of my most favorite dishes.

A volunteer from Brazil, with the call sign "Cattarin," shares his recommendations, story, and experience gained during his service in the Ukrainian Defense Forces:

I learned about the aggression Russia is carrying out against Ukraine through Instagram. The information moved me deeply. I began researching the topic and saw that there was an opportunity to come here and serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

In Brazil, I worked in various fields, but I never had any military experience. The only experience I had was in sport shooting. It was excellent, very good training, with a wide selection of weapons.

Military training in Ukraine is also very good, with good relationships and a great attitude. It's truly an invaluable experience.

I recommend taking only the essentials on your trip: three changes of clothes, three shirts, two pairs of pants, three pairs of underwear, three pairs of socks, and a power bank so that if your phone runs out of battery, you can charge it.

In my free time, I study, learn English, and have started learning Ukrainian. So far, I can use basic phrases like: "Thank you," "Please," and "Glory to Ukraine."

- I learned about the war in Ukraine through the news, just when the full-scale Russian invasion began. Then the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to foreigners to join the defense of Ukraine, I knew: this is my moment. One of my acquaintances was already part of the International Legion of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and it was he who told me more about this opportunity.

I was impressed by the high level of training, especially medical, it significantly exceeded my expectations. Another strong impression was the tactical training. The Ukrainian military skillfully combined NATO standards with adaptation to the realities of the front, effectively leaving behind outdated Soviet tactics. It was very interesting and useful to learn new approaches that I did not know before.

Psychological readiness and physical fitness are key. This is not a game. This is a war where every mistake can cost a life. But I was mentally prepared and knew why I was going. The International Legion provides everything I need - from socks to winter and summer equipment, from thermal underwear to "armor", everything is given out immediately upon arrival. I arrived with my own equipment, but in fact it was not needed - everything was already waiting here.

I worked in intelligence, on the front line, in fire support. The Ukrainian military are professionals who always lend a shoulder. I am still in touch with many of them.

If you are thinking of joining - do it with a sincere heart and with the realization that this is a real war for freedom, there will always be a place for you here.

Glory to Ukraine!

I work as a drone operator in Ukraine. After completing a month and a half course at a training center, where I was taught to operate different types of drones, I joined a unit with which I carry out daily combat missions. Thanks to cooperation with Ukrainian comrades, I gained very valuable experience - they are smart and professional, I learned a lot.

The war here is significantly different from everything we were used to before. The most modern technologies, such as drones and missiles, are used here. The "Vampire" technology is particularly impressive, which effectively hinders the actions of the enemy deep behind their lines.

I recommend that volunteers who wish to join the Ukrainian Defense Forces take a minimum of things with them - two changes of clothes and hygiene products. After all, in Ukraine you will be provided with everything you need. Also, think carefully before traveling and weigh all the risks - this war is very technological and complex.

In my free time, I relax, play sports, and study Ukrainian.

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.

I left my job as a manager in a luxury accessories store in Colombia and joined the Ukrainian army. We made this decision together with my husband, who is currently fighting in the ranks of the Ukrainian army against Russian aggression. It is very likely that my brothers may also join the Ukrainian army.

Although I have not been in Ukraine for very long, I have already fallen in love with this country, its people, culture and language, which I am currently studying. And although I plan to go to Colombia during my vacation, I would like to connect my future life with Ukraine.

I call on Colombian men and women to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine and fight for justice together.

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.

I came to Ukraine from Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. I decided to come to fight side by side with the Ukrainians because I saw the news about the terrible suffering that the invaders caused here. Then I realized that I could not just sit back and let this happen - and decided to become part of the fight against Russian tyranny. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is simply a disgrace. I believe that the entire civilized world should unite to provide Ukraine with support against the invaders.

I came to Ukraine - and this is the best thing I have ever done. My friends supported my choice and send me packages. I tell them that I am fighting here so that they do not have to fight with the invaders later. I also fight for my beautiful girlfriend in Kiev. This gives me a lot of motivation to fight against the Russian invaders.

When I arrived in Ukraine, it was 4:00 in the morning and I got off the train, and the air raid siren was wailing outside. It was a very harsh welcome, but I quickly got used to it. Ukraine is a wonderful country, the people here are amazing, kind and hospitable. I also see incredible courage and resilience. I would really like to live here after the war. My girlfriend and my colleagues are happy to teach me Ukrainian.

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.

In Colombia I served in the army for 7 years, and then I came to Ukraine. I have been here for about a year, serving in the Marine Corps.

The Ukrainian army has very good training – a bit different than in the Colombian one, but very good.

I really enjoy communicating with Ukrainians. I learn a lot from them, I have made good friends here. In the two units where I served, I made friends with many Ukrainians. There is great respect between foreign volunteers and Ukrainians. I learned a lot in the Ukrainian army. I gained a wonderful experience in Ukraine, which opens many doors for me.

I served in a combat unit of the Marine Corps for about eight months. Now I want to rest a little and I intend to continue serving in a new unit. I would like to stay in Ukraine.

I also like to cook, and I had an interesting culinary experience in Ukraine. Some Ukrainian dishes are very tasty. Ukrainian borscht is very tasty.

Miller Duque: Colombian Volunteer Defending Ukraine

Miller Duque, call sign “Anjey”, is a Colombian soldier with over 8 years of service experience. He has been helping Ukraine in its fight for its freedom and independence for over 15 months. The story of the volunteer “Anjey” is an example of courage, dedication and mutual support between peoples in times of war.

Miller came to Ukraine not out of duty, but out of a calling of the heart to support the Ukrainian Defense Forces. He served in the "Carpathian Sich" units and the "140th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Marine Corps", where he gained invaluable experience and skills that help him cope with the challenges on the battlefield.

According to him, the main difference between the war in Ukraine and his native Colombia is technology, in particular, the use of drones and artillery. But, despite this, he emphasizes the importance of professionalism and brotherhood among the military, regardless of the country.

For Miller, the path of a volunteer is not just a duty, but a true passion and an opportunity to contribute to a great cause. "We are here not by force, but by the call of the heart. Together we are strong!" - says Miller.