‘It was a suicide mission’: life on the front lines for foreign fighters in Ukraine

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 6 May 2022 | Colin Freeman

[Mount Athos]

20,000 have arrived from 52 countries. Among them an estimated 50 Britons – including ex-Royal Marine Scott Sibley, killed near Mykolaiv. Andrew Hill, captured in the same area, reading a televised confession of “war crimes”. Aiden Aslin and ex-Royal Anglian Shaun Pinner, both captured in Mariupol, threatened with the death penalty.

“You’re out there in trenches, being buzzed with camera drones, and the moment they spot you, they send artillery in. I had three very close encounters just in the first couple of weeks.”

Some claim they are being sent on “suicide missions” without adequate weapons or intelligence. Others complain of corrupt Ukrainian commanders who promise frontline action only to fleece them for money. Many have struggled to get near a frontline at all.

Recruits risk being sent on ad hoc missions that nobody else will do, bereft of local knowledge that can make the difference between life and death.

“You can end up as cannon fodder if you’ve got the wrong commander, and it’s dangerous to insert yourself into a battlefield without co-ordinating with others – you can get killed by your own side,” Michael says. “There’s corruption, too, with basic equipment going missing. There’ll be weapons with no ammo, or no body armour or medical kit.”

Another volunteer marksman, was asked to lead four Ukrainian volunteers on a mission to take out Russian sniping positions. The volunteers turned out to be local farmers armed with hunting rifles, who had never shot anything more dangerous than foxes.

“It was ridiculous, a suicide mission, so I called it off,” he says.

“I'd guess maybe 70 per cent of people who’ve come out to join the International Legion have already turned back,”

“You’re likely to get hit by shelling long before you’ll ever get the chance to exchange fire with anybody”

[Mount Athos]

Edited to fit citation limit. No words added but some sentences truncated without changing meaning

[Long Jon No Silver]

Wouldn’t wanna be in these military touristas shoes if a Russkie nabs em. No pow protection.

[2banana]

Play stupid games...

[Dalberg-Acton]

Shame Malcomn Nance didn’t make it to the front.

[glorgau]

Ukraine is the equivalent of the Spanish Civil War. Weapons and tactics are being tested for the upcoming big show.

[V V Camp Enari 67-68]

Perhaps these “warriors” shouldn’t have gone there in the first place!

[McGruff]

Russia warns pro-Ukraine foreign fighters won’t get POW status, will be criminals

Konashenkov warns that pro-Ukrainian fighters won’t be considered combatants in accordance with international humanitarian law or become prisoners of war.

By MICHAEL STARR
Published: MARCH 4, 2022 10:42

https://www.jpost.com/international/article-699343

[Robert DeLong]

Yes, but you can't let a little corruption stand in the way of protecting the integrity of Ukraine's borders & sovereignty, otherwise, you will succumb to hard drinking, so I've been told. The person telling me that was dead serious too. Problem is, I quit drinking decades ago, and nothing can make me return to drinking either. Because I finally realized me and alcohol are a bad combination to be sure.

With a clear head, I know in my heart that involvement in this conflict is insanity, especially when our own southern border is being breached by who knows what evils, and our dear leader had done nothing about that. But hey, he jumps right into the Russia/Ukraine conflict. With both feet, I might add.

Perhaps he is scared that if he didn't, Ukraine just might reveal that the "BIG LIE" is the one Democrats and RINOs have been pushing since the 2020 election.

[Robert DeLong]

Even more of a shame, is that Sean Penn didn’t follow through also, with his machismo blather.

[ValleyofHope]

Why would you go far away to fight for a side where you don’t know the language, the terrain, or even have a stated mission? I think of that young American killed recently, who left behind a wife and baby.

Propaganda media works very well on a fairly large subset of a country. Everyone deep inside, has a need to be recognized. Add to that a need to prove to one self and community that you really, really care. Sometimes we have such high ideals, for all the wrong reasons.

[Tijeras_Slim]

After 20 years of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan there are tons of vets. Some just can’t settle back in to “regular” life. I worked with an early member of Delta and he could have done training and consulting and had a very comfortable life. But he always had to be on the point of the spear. An IED finally caught up with him in Iraq in 2005.

[The Louiswu]

War is hell boys, now what’s for dinner?

[Fido969]

Probably a lot in Mariupol, that’s why they won’t surrender.

[tsomer]

Damn, you might be right!

[alexander_busek]

Yes, but you can't let a little corruption stand in the way of protecting the integrity of Ukraine's borders & sovereignty dismantling Russia's ability to wage war, tank by tank, capital ship by capital ship...

You sad Russia's military capabilities are being degraded? You want a strong Russian military?

Regards,

[BiglyCommentary]

““You’re likely to get hit by shelling long before you’ll ever get the chance to exchange fire with anybody””

Did this guy miss the invention of the cannon or modern artillery?

[Robert DeLong]

Russia has not been a threat since the USSR crumbled. I am far more concerned with the puppet Biden and his puppeteer(s), than I am with Putin to be quite honest.

I am far more concerned at what I see happening in western countries around the globe and the tyrannical turn they have made, including the USA.

The Russia/Ukraine conflict is a manufactured one to:
a) distract people from what they are seeing transpire in these western nations and
b) to eliminate Putin because he is a threat to them.

Not because he is a threat militarily, except for his nuclear weapons, he's a threat because he knows their plans.

The reset Hillary was talking about with Russia involved that they confide in Putin what the plans are and offered him a seat at the table. He rejected them.

You see, people were starting to wake up and wonder about what the heck is going on, and they can't allow that to happen.

So they made Putin the villain once again, because it's so easy. Now don't get me wrong, Putin is not a savory person, but the people after him are even more unsavory.

You are seeing the first step towards this New World Order (One World Government) being initiated via the WHO.

The United States has proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations which will be voted on by the World Health Assembly scheduled for May 22-28, 2022.

These amendments give the WHO sole authority to declare global health emergencies, removing that authority from sovereign nations.

You can learn more here.

[alexander_busek]

Russia has not been a threat since the USSR crumbled.

Nonsense! Tell that to Georgia! Tell that to Ukraine!

I am far more concerned with the puppet Biden and his puppeteer(s), than I am with Putin to be quite honest. I am far more concerned at what I see happening in western countries around the globe and the tyrannical turn they have made, including the USA.

Thank you, at least, for clearly stating your position!

Regards,

[Robert DeLong]

Georgia asked Russia to come in and help quell ethnic riots. Ukraine invasion was the result of the US fomented coup of a duly elected president.

I would suggest you actually learn the facts, and quit posting solely upon your emotions.

[alexander_busek]

Georgia asked Russia to come in and help quell ethnic riots.

Prevarication #1. The truth is that some rebel groups fomenting unrest in Abkhazia and South Ossetia got suckered into accepting Russian help in order to form break-away "People's Republics." Of course, they are now marked to be absorbed into the Russian Federation. Funny, how that always happens!

Ukraine invasion was the result of the US fomented coup of a duly elected president.

Prevarication #2. Yeah, the Russians are so-oo renowned for their love of democracy, they rush to the aid of anyone who contests elections. And the fact that Russia has already absorbed Crimea and is poised to also absorb large swathes of Ukraine's Black Sea coastline is likewise a mere coincidence. Funny, how that always happens!

The Russians are so-oo selfless! Willing to spend blood and treasure to protect democratic elections in foreign countries! And all they ask for in return is the lion's share of the booty (i.e., thousands of sq. miles of territory)!

Regards,