Patriots Every One (sarcasm)
When Russia invaded Ukraine there was a rush of US volunteers that went to Ukraine in defense of Ukraine….many with little to no military experience armed with a desire to confront the Russian bear.
Several people from my area were volunteers and went to join the fight….they made the news for their bravery and since that time little has been heard of them.
I read an article that covers what is going on with these ‘volunteers’….
They rushed to Ukraine by the thousands, many of them Americans who promised to bring military experience, money or supplies to the battleground of a righteous war. Hometown newspapers hailed their commitment, and donors backed them with millions of dollars.Now, after a year of combat, many of these homespun groups of volunteers are fighting with themselves and undermining the war effort. Some have wasted money or stolen valor. Others have cloaked themselves in charity while also trying to profit off the war, records show.One retired Marine lieutenant colonel from Virginia is the focus of a U.S. federal investigation into the potentially illegal export of military technology. A former Army soldier arrived in Ukraine only to turn traitor and defect to Russia. A Connecticut man who lied about his military service has posted live updates from the battlefield — including his exact location — and boasted about his easy access to American weapons. A former construction worker is hatching a plan to use fake passports to smuggle in fighters from Pakistan and Iran.And in one of the more curious entanglements, one of the largest volunteer groups is embroiled in a power struggle involving an Ohio man who falsely claimed to have been both a U.S. Marine and a LongHorn Steakhouse assistant manager. The dispute also involves a years-old incident on Australian reality TV.Such characters have a place in Ukraine’s defense because of the arms-length role the United States has taken: The Biden administration sends weapons and money but not professional troops. That means people who would not be allowed anywhere near the battlefield in a U.S.-led war are active on the Ukrainian front — often with unchecked access to weapons and military equipment.
It appears some were motivated by greed and not some misplaced feeling of patriotism.
To me that explains what this war is really about…..as always.
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
In Saner Thought 
Kind of a shallow interpretation of what the war is all about but then you are entitled to your observations — just like anyone else. As for me, I have always thought that any of those so-called “Patriots” who did the things you talk about should be imprisoned for decades without parole — and most especially if they left families behind to go on their adventures into Ukraine ..they should serve time on the basis of child neglect if they have kids, on spousal neglect if they have wives, mercenary-ism if for no other reason….They are not patriots, they are assholes. I am assuming that most of them are probably both right wing and gay.
What do you think the war is[ about? Not about democracy that ship sailed a year ago chuq
I think the war is about some maniac in Russia with imperialist tendencies who has suffered either a stroke or has gotten a brain tumor and is out of control and mad with power and on the brink or re-writing himself as another Napoleon or Hitler figure …and that he and his expansionism are a serious threat to human existence and someone should sit hard on his ass before it is all over for all of us.
I do not think Putin is crazy or out of control…..he would got as far as he has if he were….his desires will go no further than Ukraine and others around him….Europe could fall but the US is safe for now. chuq
If Europe falls we will be right in there with them because of NATO so we are not safe at all… and Putin is very paranoid — example: Even if someone close to him needs a simple 15-minute interview face to face with him, that person is required to quarantine for two weeks before the interview …when he flies on airplanes, he announces one destination publicly and then flies to another …he has a food taster to try to prevent himself from being poisoned –Putin could have gotten where he is and he has gotten where he is, crazy or not — Hitler was nuttier than a fruitcake yet he managed to ascend to supreme control of Germany —
Then Europe needs to stop depending on the US for their cover……Hitler had the help from the German people and I am not so sure he could muster that support in Russia. chuq
Seems the question is one of management. Sure, leadership to define strategic combat tactics. But if I were Zelensky and suddenly foreign nationals were showing up on my doorstep to help me fight a war, I would surely want them vetted for capacity, capability, and motivation, before handing them access to weapons. In the least I would want to embed officers from my own ranks to monitor performance levels and discipline, and maintain essential communications… and not let them roam freely about the countryside acting like Kelly’s Heroes opportunists.
IF those stories and reports cited in your post is true.. which I would think they would be… then it seems a question of management from Ukrainian military command.
Some promised funds..l.l.that would preclude vetting….chuq
Seems the question is one of management. Sure, leadership to define strategic combat tactics. But if I were Zelensky and suddenly foreign nationals were showing up on my doorstep to help me fight a war, I would surely want them vetted for capacity, capability, and motivation, before handing them access to weapons. In the least I would want to embed officers from my own ranks to monitor performance levels and discipline, and maintain essential communications… and not let them roam freely about the countryside acting like Kelly’s Heroes opportunists.
IF those stories and reports cited in your post is true.. which I would think they would be… then it seems a question of management from Ukrainian military command. Quality control.
Thanx John much appreciated. chuq
Many British volunteers have been KIA there. Others who were captured were exchanged for Russian prisoners, and brought home to the UK. In general, we do not get many stories about them, certainly none that compare to those concerning some of the US volunteers.
Best wishes, Pete.
As far as I am concerned they should be prosecuted for fighting in another country’s army….chuq
But why? As long as the foreign army is not an adversary to one’s nation of citizenship, why would you support the State prosecuting a Citizen for an employment choice?
I am an old soldier….loyalties belong to this country screw the rest…..times change it is about the cash not the principle,. chuq
During the Spanish Civil War, 2,800 American volunteers fought against Franco in the Lincoln Brigade. I’m sure they thought they were fighting against international Fascism, and believed in the Republican cause. Maybe it depends on the war, of the ‘just cause’ ,but they had the right to choose their own fate, after all.
Ever since historical records began, people have been fighting in other people’s armies. Whether for religious reasons during the Thirty Years war in Europe, or as mercenaries to make a living. France and Spain both have Foreign Legions, and Britain employs Gurkhas as troops. It is the way of armies.
In most cases, they are not fighting against their own country, so committing no crime.
I was about to post just that.. but you beat me to it. I would also add that the Spanish Civil War became a kind of training ground for some Luftwaffe pilots prior to WW2 starting… although they (und Herr Hitler) sided with Franco. Although that might be less about “patriotism” and more about Nazi aid to Fascism.
Yes, the Condor Legion, practicing for WW2 on Spanish civilians. Also German and Italian Fascist ‘volunteer’ troops on the ground in ‘advisory’ roles. Franco used Moorish North African troops against the Republic, all mercenaries.
If people want to fight for a cause in a foreign war, whether that cause is good or bad to western ideas, I see no reason to stop them. It some turn bad, their fate is usually sealed by their actions being discovered. Many returning from fighting for the Republic in Spain found themsleves vilified for supporting ‘Communism’. Their critics failed to understand the complexities of that war, and we got WW2 as a direct result of it.
The Condor Legion destroyed Guernica….like I said politics. chuq
It depends on politics…..not democracy not freedoms…..chuq