“I am an anti-aircraft missile system operator, although I previously worked in private security in Brazil,” says Filipe from Rio de Janeiro, call sign “Bandera.”

Filipe arrived in Ukraine in 2022. He arrived to Poland by plane, and then traveled by train.

After arriving in Ukraine, Filipe underwent training. According to him, everything was high-quality and well-organized. The training lasted from one to two months, and they provided everything: weapons, ammunition, documents, food.

“We are really well received here. Ukrainian officers treat us as members of one big family. There is a real brotherhood between foreign volunteers and Ukrainians,” he says.

“Bandera” gained combat experience near Kherson and in the Kramatorsk region, and recently in the Kharkiv region, performing tasks to storm enemy positions and conduct reconnaissance.

“It was difficult, but we managed to complete the mission and return safely. Thank God,” he says.

Philippe claims that the level of provision is very high: weapons, ammunition, body armor, uniforms, food - nothing is missing. Everything is of very high quality.

Advice from Philippe to volunteers who want to join the Ukrainian defense force:

“Prepare yourself physically, psychologically, and understand that this is a real war, anything can happen here, but if your intentions are firm - the doors of Ukraine are always open and you will be welcomed here.”