Although it is prohibited, the Swiss have already fought in the Ukraine war in 2022. Now he is returning to the front because he is bored at home.
A Swiss man is fighting in the war in Ukraine – This sentence first raises a specific question: Why is he doing this? In addition to the fact that according to Swiss military law it is prohibited to serve as a mercenary for a foreign army, you risk your life every day in war.
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But that hasn’t stopped Jérôme (name changed by SRF editors) from moving to Ukraine in 2022. And although he’s now back in his homeland in western Switzerland, he’s already planning to return to the front. He spoke to Swiss broadcaster SRF about his experiences in the war in Ukraine.
He saw his comrades die
The 37-year-old is the father of two teenagers, but no longer lives with his family. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Zelensky called on Westerners to help the Ukrainian army defend itself. Almost no one saw this as a call for active support of Ukraine on the front line of the fight against Russia – that’s what Jérôme did. He connects with other foreign mercenaries via the Internet, and in September 2022, he travels to Ukraine and joins the International Legion of Foreign Fighters. After spending time in military training camp, he was sent to the front in Luhansk.
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Just two months later, the war shows its ugliest face: two of Jérôme’s comrades die in combat, right before his eyes. As the troops walk through a mined area, a wire triggers one of the mines. The minesweeper that went ahead dies immediately. Another comrade, Daniel (35) from Poland, is seriously injured. “Daniel screamed the whole time during the evacuation. Six of us tried to revive him. But he had a lot of mine balls in his body,” says Jérôme. All of this happens while the troops are under fire.
“I want to make something of my life”
At the end of January 2023 it will be too much for the Swiss – he will return home. He himself says about his mission: “You should think about it carefully. It’s a killing spree and you’re forced to see a friend die or see people killed.” Despite these existential and traumatic experiences, Jérôme returned to Ukraine this summer. “I’m going back because I want to do something with my life. I can’t find a job. I’m bored at home,” he explains his decision.
2,000 foreign fighters in Ukraine
And Jérôme is not an isolated case. According to Kacper Rekawek, a researcher at the International Anti-Terrorism Center (ICCT), there are currently around 2,000 foreign fighters in action in Ukraine. Since the start of the war, 200 to 250 of them have died. Ukraine does not publish figures on its mercenaries.
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In Switzerland, as already mentioned, serving in a foreign army is prohibited. This is regulated in article 94 of the Military Code. Violations are punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to three years. There are currently seven ongoing cases against Swiss citizens who served in Ukraine.
Browsing account 20 minutes Time 09/07/2023, 9:49 pm | Act: 09/07/2023, 9:49 pm