“Harry Potter” is a callsign that, in almost any other context, would sound like a joke. But here, on the front lines of russia’s war against Ukraine, it takes on an almost symbolic meaning. After all, this 23-year-old Brazilian has joined the fight against russian aggression led by a figure whose appearance many cannot help but compare to the chief villain from J.K. Rowling’s universe. The difference is that this villain does not exist on the pages of a novel, but in real life — and the consequences of his actions are all too real as well.
The fighter received his callsign by pure chance. At a recruitment center, one of his fellow Brazilians looked at him and joked, “You look like Harry Potter.” The comparison stuck and eventually became his new name.
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Yet this young man is neither a wizard nor a fantasy hero. He comes from southern Brazil, from the city of Curitiba. Despite the geographical distance, the metropolis has a special connection to Ukraine — it is home to one of the largest Ukrainian diasporas in South America.
The Brazilian volunteer had been fascinated by military life since childhood. He loved war movies and dreamed of serving in the armed forces. After finishing school, he joined the Brazilian Army, but later began searching for a new challenge. Eventually, that search brought him to Ukraine:
“One day I thought: Ukraine — I can go there. I can fight. So I made the decision and came here to help Ukrainians in their struggle.”
Unlike his literary namesake, this Harry Potter did not find himself in a world of magic. There are no wands, spells, or miraculous last-minute rescues here. There is only a real war, where survival depends on endurance, discipline, and a willingness to risk your own life for others.
At the time of our interview, Harry Potter had completed only one combat mission as a member of the 253rd Separate Assault Regiment. But that mission lasted an entire 36 days — long enough to permanently dispel any romantic notions about war:
“It was very hard. But nothing in war is easy.
I was put in charge of a newly formed group. There were two other new guys with me. Right away, I understood it was going to be difficult because none of us had any combat experience. But we had to do everything we were capable of.
On the second day, we came under attack. One of the guys was wounded, and we had to wait for his evacuation. I managed to stop the bleeding in his leg, so he did not lose the limb. After that, we held the position for another week.
Then we pulled back. But the enemy managed to come at us from the rear again. Artillery shells and drones started raining down on us. We had to fight them off once more. But this time everything went well. None of our men were wounded.”
At the end of this story, Harry Potter pulled out a captured shoulder patch bearing the inscription “USSR” and stated matter-of-factly:
“The only ones who died were the russians.”
During the months he has spent in Ukraine, the Brazilian volunteer has become familiar with more than just war. Serving in the Ukrainian military has allowed him to see the country he is fighting for, its people, and their way of life:
“When I arrived here, autumn was almost over. Snow is beautiful, but I didn’t really like it. Now, in the summer, everything is much more beautiful. I really like the scenery.”
Ukrainian cuisine also came as a surprise. It turned out to be very different from anything he was used to back home in Brazil:
“You often eat soup for lunch. For us, that’s very unusual. But people here really like it.”
What impressed Harry Potter the most, however, were the Ukrainians themselves. More precisely, it was the striking contrast between their calm, friendly nature and the hardships they have been forced to endure:
“The people here are very good. You walk through a city and think: why do these people have to suffer so much? They live decent lives. They are peaceful people. And yet they have to go through all of this. It’s very sad.”
Although the Brazilian likes Ukraine, he plans to return home once the war is over, back to his family and the life he left behind. While he has gained valuable experience here, he sees his future in Brazil:
“Ukraine is a very good country to live in. But afterward I want to return to my family. To the home where I spent my whole life.
And of course, I want to use the military experience I gained here to find a good job. To live a peaceful life with a decent income, start a family, and follow my own path.”
For those considering joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the fight against the russian invasion, the Brazilian fighter known as “Harry Potter” has a piece of advice drawn directly from his experience at war:
“If you are coming here for the money, don’t come. Because it’s not only your life that is at risk, but the lives of your brothers-in-arms as well. Money is nothing compared to that.
But if you want to gain experience and truly help these people, then come. Do your job as well as you can. May God protect you.”
Learn more about foreign volunteers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and join on the official website.
Text: Dmytro Tolkachov
Video, Photos: Dmytro Tolkachov, Oleksandr Bekker
Editing: Oleksandr Bekker
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