A Brazilian who felt like a Ukrainian

“I am here to defend the rights of the Ukrainian people, who have now become my family,” says young Brazilian volunteer Shakh-Mat. “My brothers and I are here to defend the right of Ukrainians to live a free life.” He calls himself a Ukrainian soldier of Brazilian nationality. In a conversation with Foreign Recruitment Center, Shakh-Mat spoke about his experience of military service and integration into the Ukrainian environment.

- Four years ago, I lived in France, where I had many contacts with Ukrainians. Thanks to Ukrainian friends, I got to know Ukrainian culture and way of life closely.

On February 27, 2022, the President of Ukraine announced that foreign volunteers would be accepted to serve in the Ukrainian army. Soon, I also found information on the Internet and learned a lot from friends who had already been here. A month or two after I turned 18, I had already made the decision to come to Ukraine. My friends gave me the names of recruiters and their numbers on WhatsApp. I contacted them - and in less than a week I was already on Ukrainian soil.

About serving in the Ukrainian army

- I came here without military experience and without special physical training. The Ukrainian army gave me all this. Although the training lasted only a month, it was exceptionally meaningful. It fully prepared me for action in combat conditions. During the training, we learned a lot about new technologies, about the tactics of offensive and defensive combat.

In my opinion, the most important part of the training is providing first aid. If you don’t know this, you can become a burden to the team. If you can’t help your comrade, and he can’t help you, it can be very dangerous. Therefore, first aid in battle is the most important part of the training. I already had some knowledge of first aid, but here I improved it significantly.

Currently I serve in the 31st mechanized brigade, in the 3rd battalion. I preferred this unit because it is a very well-equipped battalion, a well-organized and structured brigade. The equipment is very comfortable, the supplies are very good. I didn’t have to buy anything. The brigade provides everything I need. When I needed something before the first mission, I just asked – and they gave it to me.

I never had any doubts about this choice. The brigade gave me a lot of confidence in all areas of military service. Here I met many other Brazilians, as well as Colombians, Peruvians, Argentines, Japanese, Hungarians.

Now I am part of the Lotus company, which is 100% Brazilian. Thanks to the efforts of our sergeants, this is one of the best units in the brigade.

I believe that russia will not win this war. Ukrainians do not stop. We are constantly introducing new technologies, new combat tactics, constantly improving our fighters. Ukrainian technologies are constantly developing and are ahead of russian ones. I believe that Ukraine will win.

On integration into the Ukrainian environment and life in Ukraine

- As I said, I was able to enter Ukrainian homes and integrate well into the Ukrainian environment. Thanks to this, I realized that our cultures, our way of life are much less different than I thought. Because of this, I fell even more in love with Ukrainian culture and this people, who have now become my people. Therefore, over the past four years, I have even had a desire to come here to live, and not just serve in the army.

Then I began to study the situation more deeply, learned how people in Ukraine suffer because of russian aggression. This aroused in me a strong desire to come here and help the Ukrainian people in their struggle for freedom against enslavement.

I was very surprised by how they treated me immediately after crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border. From the first step on Ukrainian soil, I felt a wonderful attitude, much better than in many other European countries. In Ukraine, I am treated with the utmost respect, accepted into their environment. Ukrainian soldiers always treat me as a brother, not as a foreigner. They always perceive me as one of their own, so today I also feel like a Ukrainian. What I value most is camaraderie — it is one of the most important foundations of military service.

About learning Ukrainian and advice to future volunteers

- I know a little Ukrainian and continue to learn it. I can say hello and thank you, wish you health or "may God bless you all." I know enough to communicate with Ukrainians at a basic level.

My advice to those who want to learn Ukrainian is not only to study online, but also to live among Ukrainians, to communicate with them every day. I learned Ukrainian in about three months precisely because I was immersed in the Ukrainian environment and culture. And if you want to build a military career in Ukraine, then you definitely need Ukrainian.

I have three pieces of advice for those who want to join the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The first is to follow the rules, respect the culture and your comrades. The second is to prepare yourself well physically and psychologically. Here, the marches can be up to 20–25 kilometers, and you have to stay in positions for one and a half to two, sometimes three months without external contact. And the third is to clearly understand why you are coming here. Come knowing your goal.

I have the opportunity to communicate with many Ukrainian and foreign soldiers, listen to their stories. And each time I see that our cultural differences are only decreasing. With each story we become more and more similar to each other.

Glory to Ukraine!