To come fight for Ukraine, some of our foreign fighters left their families at home, where children aren't scared of explosions and deaths.
Despite being far away, they teach their own kids so much: bravery, integrity, and the importance of always standing up to a bully.
As fathers, they’ve accepted fewer birthdays and bedtime stories together, and more "I miss you, Dad" messages on their phone screens. That’s a sacrifice that can never be appreciated enough.
But today, on Father’s Day, Junior Sergeant "Reg," Company Commander of the Azov International Battalion from South Wales, shares a story about being both a fighter and a father to his daughter Alisa in Ukraine, as he settled down in Kharkiv.
It's both a blessing and a curse. It's the constant worry about them when you're not around but also the motivation to keep fighting with her in my mind. Because I understand that everything I lose if Ukraine loses — she's part of that.
When asked about where he sees his daughter's future, "Reg" doesn't hesitate for a moment.
My home is Ukraine. Her home is Ukraine. We will be staying in Ukraine. That's why I have such a big need for this to succeed. Our defence needs to succeed so that Ukraine maintains its independence and we have a future here.
The fighter always keeps the picture of his daughter and wife close, in his helmet when on the mission. He hopes to convey the main lesson to her when she's older.
Sometimes you need to sacrifice everything you want for everything you love. And it's a duty of every person to do so.
