A Canadian Armed Forces Veteran that came back from Ukraine is sending a message to all the people who might have the same idea as him to not do it on impulse and to think of the implications.

About 10 years ago this man went on a whim to Afghanistan after seeing pictures of destitute civilians everywhere on the internet. The “inaction” of other countries in the face of such violence was the trigger for the man who prefers to keep his identity secret, in order to preserve his family’s safety

Once he got to Ukraine he admits he was disappointed when he realized he would be with people with no experience and that he would be responsible for their safety. “There are a lot of people who want to defend their country but have no military background, so they assign them to international mercenaries,” he explained. 

Leo was there to provide care. He knew that he would need to use weapons to ensure the safety of the people close to him. “So I took some time to think,” he says. I asked myself where my limit was. I knew that if I went, I’d be there for a long time and I’d probably lose my spouse. The reflexes of the military, of never leaving anyone behind, I knew it would make me want to finish this dirty war. I would never have been at peace with the idea of leaving my fellow soldiers once the fight started.”

Leo then decided to come back to Quebec.

When I saw countries sending in 400 rocket launchers, I would freak out,” he says. It’s like giving a glass of water to your neighbor whose house is on fire.” 

“If you are injured, and the chances of this happening are very high, you can’t count on a helicopter evacuation, and even by ground, if you fall on a road controlled by the Russians, good luck,” warns Leo (not his real name), who recently returned to Quebec after a stay in Ukraine.If they find out you’re an international mercenary, think about jail time, because who knows what Canada will do to help you,” he adds.

He still invites his comrades in arms who really want to leave to Ukraine to seriously think of the implication that this kind of decision would need. If they really want to go there he advises them to go in groups so they can all take care of each other and to go there with a lot of material because resources have become rare.

“There’s definitely going to be a sacrifice in there,” he says. It’s up to you to ask yourself what you’re willing to let go.”