{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"","title":"How Swedish soldier fought for Ukraine","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62779d242f16cf0013d3c600/1661087113006-3695d8811cd6c2d60423dd9e368e35e6.jpeg?height=200","description":"

Michael (the name was changed for safety reasons) fought for Ukraine near Mykolayiv for 3 months. He and his friend worked as instructors for the special forces team of Ukrainian soldiers. Michael worked in Swedish Armed Forces for 8 years. And the very first war experience he got in Ukraine this Spring.

The young man in a snow-white summer t-shirt smiled sincerely when he went to us through the green Summer city park of Uppsala.

This meeting brought to my mind another day when I met with a good friend from childhood who became a volunteer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Autumn of 2014. When he returned from the frontline, he came to my house in a snow-white t-shirt with a big white creamy cake and almost without words about this war.

Conversation with the Swedish soldier is significant for me. Because it is about simple, clear, and honest nobility in action.

\"The decision for me to go to fight for Ukraine was like if your neighbor's house burns, you will go and help him put out the fire. You will not just sit and wait. It is weird for me,\" - the young man told me, who came to fight for Ukraine right that day when my family and I decided to close the door of our home and go out far from russian air attacks.

\"I went because I could not stand and watch what Russia was doing; they have done the same to many countries, and it was enough for me; it could be Sweden someday. I had to act, my neighbor needed help, so I helped. I have been a soldier all my life, and that is what I do best\", - Michael said.

This interview is the first where it is only me on screen for safety reasons for Michael. It is an unusual but interesting experience to perceive someone's story through the eyes of another one.

\"It is nice to be alive!\" - Michael told me. I believe that many Ukrainians he fought for would say the same to you.

It is priceless to hear such stories. Stand with Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!

If you want to see more such stories, please support the Voice4Ukraine project on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Voice4Ukraine/

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Слава Україні!

","author_name":"Kateryna Pavelko"}