In the last week, several foreign fighters have been confirmed killed in Ukraine. One of them was a Danish citizen. The news was confirmed by the Ukrainian embassy in Copenhagen on Friday.
Norwegian citizen Damien Magrou is a corporal and spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Legion.
Dagbladet has on several occasions been in contact with him after the war escalated on 24 February. Magrou lived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv when Russia invaded the country.
Magrou can neither confirm nor deny the deaths, but says on a general basis that there is always a loss of soldiers in war and that it must not come as a surprise that such things happen.
Ukraine rejects speculation
– We have so far been lucky in the Foreign Legion. Very few have lost their lives since the war began. It’s not happy when someone dies, but it does happen. The most important thing is that we are clear to the families about why they lost their lives. They should know that it was not in vain. This is a battle the legion, together with the Ukrainian army, is taking on behalf of the world for freedom, democracy and international order, he says.
He adds:
– Our legions understand the risk very well. We continue the struggle with great respect for all who have sacrificed their lives to defend the Ukrainian people.
RECRUITED: Damien Magrou was in no doubt about what to do when he realized that it was possible to enlist in the Ukrainian army. Photo: Private
sea view
Is in Western Ukraine
He says that when he heard on TV that it was possible to enlist in the army, he was in no doubt. This despite the fact that the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that all Norwegians return home.
– I knew right away that I had to try to get involved, he says.
Magrou had no military background before and never intended to fight at the front.
– I speak seven languages and have some organizational background. I thought maybe it was useful.
sea view
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Magrou is usually a lawyer in a law firm in Kyiv, where he has lived for the past two years.
He says that he is now in Western Ukraine, without being able to go into detail on exactly where. He adds that it is most logical when possible recruits arrive in the country in the west.
According to Magrou, the situation where he lives has been relatively calm lately.
– There were three missiles that fell in Lviv about ten days ago. Beyond that, it has been pretty quiet.
It was also here that he stayed on February 24, the day the war broke out.
Magrou would prefer to be called a foreign legionnaire because of the negative associations the word foreign warrior has had after the war against IS.
Scott (36) drept i Ukraina
Fear of new world war
– What is your motivation for contributing?
– I will do everything I can for Ukraine to win the war, says the 33-year-old and adds that there were several reasons that were decisive for him taking the step and enlisting.
– First and foremost, I have to defend my home. I have an apartment, friends and a job in Ukraine. The second is that we can take responsibility in Ukraine right now to stop Russian expansionism, or I think we must do it later in other countries. I have heard several refer to World War III, and I think it certainly has the potential to be, Magrou emphasizes.
Norway will not help the foreign fighters
When asked if he has considered traveling to Norway in recent weeks, the answer is a clear no.
– I enlisted at the very beginning of the war and have never considered giving up. Going home to Norway is not relevant. Of course, I long to sit on Vippetangen in Oslo in glorious weather, but first we will win the war. Afterwards I can have a cold beer, says Magrou.
Finally, he would like to thank the Norwegian government, on behalf of the Ukrainian army, for arms donations.
– However, we are still waiting for the government to take a position on and allow the sale of long-range missiles from the Kongsberg Group, such as NASAMS and NSM, Magrou points out.
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