A former Texas infantryman who has been sent on numerous tours of Iraq teaches Ukrainians to fight the Russians in a battle against time.
Paul Gray served in the 101st Airborne Division, he said Fox News.
“Ukrainians remind me a lot of my homeland Texas,’ he said.
“They are very independent. We have cowboys. They have Cossacks.
Gray, from Tyler, 100 miles east of Dallas, moved to Ukraine a year ago to open a gym in Kyiv and is now training troops to defend the country.
“I am fighting to protect my home and their home here,” he said.
“I am training them to the best of my ability, in the shortest possible time, to give them a chance to survive this invasion and massacre by the Russians.”
Paul Gray, who serves in the 101st Airborne Division, told Fox News on Wednesday that he had moved to Ukraine a year ago and is now ready to fight on behalf of his new home.
Paul Gray remained in Ukraine and assisted President Zelensky’s forces
The Texan completed many tours of Iraq with the 101st Airborne and is now in Ukraine
Gray’s mother, Jan, told local television, KETKthat his gym was closed three weeks ago and he decided to stay in the country.
“It is his individual choice to make such decisions and I can only pray and support,” she said.
KETK reports that Gray has received a Purple Heart.
His mother said she trusted him to make the right decision.
“They hear the bombings going on,” she said.
“There is a video of him outside. People come and go and take shelter. I don’t know if he managed to get out and see all the devastation in the surrounding areas.
She said her son and friends had been warned weeks before the invasion that she was coming, and added that Paul and his friends with military experience were helping others.
He was prepared by stockpiling food, withdrawing money from banks and preparing for a possible attack.
It is not against American law for an American citizen to join an international legion.
But it could be a violation if someone was hired while still in the United States.
Paul said none of the foreign fighters do it for money.
“They don’t pay us. We are not mercenaries. We are not in this for any personal gain, “he said.
IN the White House encourages Americans to heed existing travel warnings against visiting Ukraine – even after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Greencalls on people from all over the world to join his country’s struggle Russiathe invasion.
White House Deputy Spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre cited travel warnings when DailyMail.com asked about the government’s position on the issue.
This happened on the seventh day of the invasion, hours after the president Joe Biden said Russia was deliberately targeting civilians after Russian shelling of Ukrainian urban centers.
“Ukrainians have shown their courage,” Jean-Pierre said, noting that they called for every resource to be protected.
“We applaud their courage. However, our travel tips remain that US citizens should not travel to Ukraine, “she said.
Destroyed armored vehicle with the letter “V”, painted on the dome, can be seen on the street as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, in the city of Bucha in the Kiev region
Workers in Kyiv are lifting concrete slabs to cut roads to the city on Wednesday
President Joe Biden visits workers near the John A. Blatnik Memorial Bridge in Superior, Wisconsin, on Wednesday. Asked about Ukrainian President Zelensky’s call for foreigners to come and join the battle to defend against the Russian invasion, the White House noted the travel council, which warns Americans not to go to Ukraine.
She said the advice was “to help Americans make the most informed decisions about their safety.”
Pressed whether the guidelines apply specifically to those who would choose to go into battle, Jean-Pierre referred to the State Department’s advice on travel to Ukraine.
This advice, issued before the Russian invasion, cites both the dangers of potential conflict and the risks of COVID-19.
Zelensky called on foreigners who want to fight alongside Ukrainians to embark on a journey that worries some in the West.
“Join the defense of Ukraine, Europe and the world,” Zelensky said over the weekend.
“All the friends of Ukraine who want to come, come here – we will give you weapons.”
“We applaud their courage. However, our travel advice remains that US citizens should not travel to Ukraine, “said White House Deputy Spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre.
People take part in basic military training on Tuesday in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. Ukrainians from the eastern and central parts of the country are increasingly fleeing to western cities, while Russian forces are advancing on Kyiv from three countries.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has said he is creating a new International Legion of Territorial Defense
The Ukrainian leader said he was creating a new International Legion of Territorial Defense, although his country was quick to attract ordinary Ukrainians to join the battle, where they are more numerous against a Russian army contingent estimated at more than 200,000.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said she supports UK citizens who want to go and respond to Zelensky’s call.
Following is Jean-Pierre’s comment reports that six American veterans of special operations are on the Polish border waiting to join the battle.
Two U.S. infantry officers also plan to fly to the region to give “leadership” to the volunteer fighters, Buzzfeed reported.
Earlier, the United States rejected other steps that could jeopardize escalation between the United States and Russia, rejecting Zelensky’s call for a no-fly zone.