Irishman and Ukrainian

Was in a “safe village” with other legionnaires and Ukrainian soldiers a few km from the 0 line. While sitting on the porch of my house, one of the Ukrainian soldiers came up to the house and said in perfect, unaccented English “hello! how are you?” But didn’t have any more English after that. Then he started speaking in Ukrainian. I thought he might want something from me or need assistance in some task but with the language barrier couldn’t tell if it was that or he was just being friendly. Eventually after 5 awkward minutes of him gesturing and speaking in Ukrainian I realised he was asking my name and where I was from.

“ahhhh sorry pal. Ya Irlandski.
Irlandski?
Tak. Irlandiya.”
His face lit up
“Ahhh Irlandiyaaaaa! Dooja dobre Irlandiya dooja dooja dobre”

All this smiling, extremely happy and excited, Ireland is great this, Ireland is great that was the general impression I was getting. Shaking my hand thanking me, telling me Ireland was the best. I couldn’t understand why, I thought maybe just because I was a foreign man volunteering to assist in the defence of his country? He started talking very excitedly in Ukrainian and I heard “Irlandiya” and “dooja dobre” (very good) amidst what he was saying. He started shaking my hand repeatedly and even hugged me. I eventually managed to communicate he should try translate on his phone because he was trying to say a lot to me but I couldn’t understand.

He typed out a very long message and I’m standing beside him wracking my brains very curious, trying to think what the feck this could be all about. Has this lad met another Irish legionnaire over here before, has he visited Ireland before the war or what’s the craic, what’s he trying to say? A good five minutes he was typing. When he finally showed it to me I actually teared up a bit with pride for Éire and my fellow countrymen and women. I’d been missing it and nostalgic about Ireland as it was, before even talking to this soldier.

Basic Summary of the long translated message he showed me;

“Ireland is the greatest country ever. My wife, child, mother, younger brother, nieces and nephews are all living in Ireland. They were taken in like so many Ukrainians since the beginning of the full scale invasion. Ireland is the best country in the world. I love Ireland so much. The Irish government has been so good to allow this. The Irish people have been so friendly and supportive to my family, they have been welcomed with open arms”

What it meant to this man… so much. For him to be able to stay and fight for the freedom of his homeland and to protect the remaining civilians against foreign terrorism and undergo great risk in doing so. Experience some of the worst that humanity has to offer.

For him to be able to take up arms in the knowledge and comfort that his loved ones were not only being granted refuge on a peaceful little island on the other side of Europe. But also be welcomed with open arms by the entire population of that country.Far away from the dangers of missiles, artillery and tank shells (all 3 of which do not discriminate military from civilian targets) or the potentially murderer and rapist “men” that sometimes fill the ranks of Vladimir Putins invading army. That was why he was speaking so excitedly and saying Ireland was so great. Delighted to have the opportunity to tell an Irishman (even if a complete stranger) how thankful he is to Ireland and it’s people for protecting his vulnerable family so he can due his duty without needing to worry for their safety.

We weren’t in the same unit or house but the houses were all fairly closely packed in. As a result of not being on the same missions or same unit and the obvious language barrier despite being in the same area, foreigners and Ukrainians rarely mixed in the village. No rivalry or dislike to one another. If we passed on the road we’d give an aul “dobre den” (depending on time of day) to each other or a wave. But that was about the height of it, we had no more Ukrainian and they no English.

Despite that. This soldiers gratitude was immense. I’d say he spent the guts of half an hour telling me how great Ireland was (in Ukrainian) hugging, shaking my hand. He even called his younger brother in Ireland to tell him he’d met an Irishman volunteering in Ukraine and put me on the phone with him. Before he left, he translated another message “if you ever need anything, food, fags, towel or need to use our shower (yeah, very old houses, all had bathrooms down the end of the garden but very very few if any had showers) come to our house and I will help”

I seen him again the next day and the conversation went in a similar sort of direction. Ireland is the best country in the world! I was starting to think this man might love Ireland as much as I do. I asked him would he like to get a photo together.

I didnt I see him again after that. Didn’t get his contact number. Didn’t even have the opportunity to send the photo to him. Hopefully one of his family can send it to him if they see this 🙂

I was more proud of Ireland and my fellow countrymen and women than I probaby have ever been. I haven’t taken any Ukrainian refugees so I cannot accept the thanks from this gent. So, any of you that have taken Ukrainians into your homes or helped with refugees who may be reading. I can assure you it’s not going unappreciated, even in Ukraine itself. I’m passing on the message. This Ukrainian soldier sends his thanks.

Saor Úcráin

TIOCFAIDH ÁR LÁ

by Saor_Ucrain