Just weeks ago, volunteers were working in political professions in their home country of the United Kingdom. They have now been pushed to the heart of Europe’s fiercest conflict since World War II. “These are extreme battles, they are day and night,” Curtis, 30, a veteran of the British Armed Forces, told i. “You go out and do what you do for a few days, then return for a few days to a relatively safe area to recharge. But it is still dangerous where we are. We are entering [fire] all the time. The Russians are shooting around us. We never know if we will be the next ones “. Hundreds of Westerners have flocked to Ukraine in a valiant effort to overthrow the Russian invasion. The influx of volunteers has made comparisons with the International Brigades that fought on behalf of Republicans against the forces of General Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War. Curtis’ squad, integrated into the Ukrainian army, is a combination of British, Georgian, Swedish and Irish. And about eight Britons in the 20-man squad have military experience, the first. Their knowledge on the battlefield is required. They have experienced “serious combat situations” in “different operations” since they arrived in the war zone. Curtis says some of the men flew from Luton to Poland before crossing the border into Ukraine in early March. In addition to fighting Russian troops in gun battles, there is a constant risk of air and artillery attacks pounding their positions. Two of their fighters were killed and two others were wounded. Curtis, 30, a British military veteran, is a member of a gang of international fighters who have volunteered to fight in Ukraine (Credit: Provided) “The Russians have tanks that shoot at you, artillery fire at you,” Curtis said. “They have good equipment. It is not the same as other conflicts around the world, where you fight against less privileged fighters. “They have planes. It is a different level. We have not fought such a war since World War II. But the Russians are running scared. “We are better educated and the Ukrainians are essentially fighting for their country.” They narrowly missed last month’s Russian strike on a military base in Lviv, where foreign fighters were being trained. Ten hours after they left the base, it was destroyed, with dozens dead. Curtis, who was a pub manager before traveling to Ukraine, said: “We had some close talks. We knew when the rockets hit the base in Lviv that many [foreign volunteers] left. It is not a Call of Duty. It’s a real war. “If you drop artillery, that’s very hairy. Anyone with a rational mind would do it himself. Any of them could get you out and if there are many, day and night, they can pound you – any of them could kill you all. “If someone says he is not afraid, he is lying, unless you are completely, completely crazy. “Having these types of people who are not afraid is really dangerous.”

More than the world

There are American volunteers fighting on the side of the Ukrainians as well as the British. Although Curtis will not rely on his military background, he says many of the fighters are former forces with experience of fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq. He adds: “We are not all together. We use it in the right way. The best possible way. “ Weapons do not seem to be a problem (“we have what we need”), but the team, which includes a combat doctor, lacks medical supplies, with a fundraising page set up to help buy bandages and bandages. Curtis adds: “We are given what we are given, but it is not enough and we are constantly getting used to it. “We would like some things that will improve the chances of survival from different injuries.” The scream of an air raid siren over Kyiv as we speak is a reminder that, even far from the front line, war is never far away. “There are so many [sirens]Curtis shrugs. “It’s a bit of a roulette wheel. They leave many times a day. “ Foreign fighters have been involved in intense fighting since arriving in Ukraine (Photo: Provided) Adam, 21, a garage owner from Scotland, is the only member of the group with no formal military experience. Before traveling alone to Ukraine, he had never fired a gun in battle, but says he made compulsory schooling for students. Days after his arrival, he was in the front line. He says: “It was not such a big deal for me here, the warlike side of things. The main thing that has affected me is what is happening to the people here. “Every time you talk to a citizen and he hears where we are from, the emotion on his face justifies why we are here. “Some of them are quite emotional and upset and try to buy us things, even though they have very little.” Everyday life can be difficult, he says, with the group suffering from colds in the chest at low temperatures. Nutritious food is an issue, with the British supplementing Ukrainian supplies with their own markets. British fighters cooperate with Ukrainian troops to counter Vladimir Putin’s forces (Photo: Provided) Despite Adam’s inexperience, he quickly earned the respect of veteran comrades. Curtis says: “He is no longer a citizen as far as we are concerned. He went from his job to fight on the front line in about a week. He embarrassed some of us in his battle. “ Curtis says he decided to come to Ukraine after being shocked by the news of atrocities committed by Putin’s troops, fearing it would be “an absolute killing field for the Russians.” He did not tell his family about his plan until he arrived in Poland. His father, a veteran of the forces himself, “understood” – while his mother simply said: “Stupid”. They fear for his safety, but have accepted his decision, he says. The men are expected to be briefed by the British intelligence service and possibly arrested upon their return to the UK. The legal status of British citizens fighting in Ukraine is unclear. Foreign Minister Liz Truss initially said she “fully supported” anyone who traveled to fight, but the government has said since then that anyone who does is in danger of being prosecuted. The squad has a shortage of medical supplies as it is on the front line in Ukraine (Photo: provided) “I’ll come [home] when I feel I have done enough. “I know we’re doing a good job out there,” says Curtis. “We all know we could die. But no one is here to take unnecessary risks. We all want to come back alive. “We are definitely not mercenaries – we are not paid or anything to be here. We are here to follow the rules and get the job done. If the Russians invade Ukraine, they are on the borders of Eastern Europe. It affects the whole of Europe and it must stop here. “