With the patience of millennia in its gaze, the Sphinx of Egypt stands watch amidst the desert storms. Never rushed and never shaken, the guardian of the pyramids reminds us that true strength remains calm. Еven when the world roars around it.
Much like the lion-bodied sentinel of Giza, Sphynx of the 1st International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine is a steady presence within his unit. He’s someone you can rely on when everything else is uncertain. Mirroring the ancient figure behind his callsign, Sphynx stands guard over his team, ready to lead them through whatever challenges the battlefield brings.
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The 39-year-old Frenchman had been with the Legion for seven months at the time of the interview. He started out on the zero line with the 2nd Battalion’s infantry, taking part in four missions around Pokrovsk, spending a total of 21 days on the front. After three months with the 2nd Battalion, Sphynx transferred to the 82mm mortar team in the 1st Battalion. Now a team leader in the mortar unit, he is currently deployed near Kupiansk. There, he has completed six missions over 48 days, fighting russian forces under constant artillery fire and drone attacks.
A mortar team lives on the positions, waiting to pour down a storm of shells on the enemy. When we met, Sphynx had just returned from a mission after spending 11 days on the ground. It was pretty exhausting, but it didn’t stop him from looking calm, composed, and confident. When asked where his coolness comes from, Sphinx responded with quiet philosophy:
"When you return from the position, you start to forget what you went through and all the stress you endured. You focus on the next mission and do your best to recover, both physically and mentally."
Sphynx joined the French Army at 21 and served for over 16 years. During that time, he gained extensive experience in an infantry regiment, taking part in demanding missions and learning to handle high-pressure situations. This background shaped his mindset and taught him how to stay focused and calm, even under fire:
"I had a lot of training in France and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012. When I came here, I wanted to bring the expertise from the French infantry to the Ukrainians to strengthen their forces. My responsibilities as a team leader also prepared me to handle any situation, even when it’s frightening. But really, it’s the same for any soldier. We just need to stay focused on our goals and carry out our orders. We have to understand the tactical situation so we can make the best decisions against the russians."
However, even years in the army don’t guarantee survival in this new kind of battle that the Russo-Ukrainian war has become. Technology changes the nature of every mission, and the enemy adapts quickly, forcing soldiers to learn and adjust day after day. No matter how skilled or experienced you are, you’re still vulnerable in a war where the threat can come from the sky at any moment:
"In this kind of high-intensity war, having a prior military background doesn’t guarantee you’ll survive. I’d say it’s the experience you gain here — through the number of missions and days spent on the ground — that increases your chances of survival. That’s the only way to get used to the stress from artillery, air attacks, and russian troops moving around. So you have to stay strong and follow the advice you’re given."
Still, even such an aggressive war is, in a way, a feast for a genuine soldier. It grants countless opportunities to sharpen fighting skills in ways that peacetime can never offer. Each day spent under fire pushes soldiers to improve, forcing them to think faster and move smarter. Over time, you turn into a true machine of war, capable of handling extreme situations with composure and precision:
"Fighting here has taught me how to handle threats and survive under constant russian artillery, drone attacks, and enemy assaults. Staying on the front line and taking part in so many missions prepares you to face these threats and keep going. It’s dangerous, but that’s how I learned to fight and survive in a high-intensity war."
Up-to-date warfare expertise is not the only thing Ukraine can give a real fighter. Sooner or later, the war will end. It will be time for those who fought for Ukraine’s freedom to reap the fruits of their commitment. They will have the respect of the people they defended, which can guide them into whatever comes next — whether it’s rebuilding Ukraine or starting a new chapter of their lives:
"We are respected here, and the Ukrainians welcome us warmly. They see and understand the sacrifices we make. It gives our fight meaning. Once the war is over, I think there will be many opportunities in the economic field. After fighting in the ranks of the Ukrainian army, you can get citizenship, which is important for guys like us who came from far away and would like to start new projects here after the war."
But the battle is not over yet. The front lines remain active every day, and the enemy's threat is constant. Victory will not come easily. It demands courage, resilience, and the willingness to keep fighting despite exhaustion:
"I believe we’re close to victory over russia. We have to keep going, and we’ll push russian troops out of Ukraine. And why not march on moscow if they continue playing this diabolic game of attacking civilians with missiles?
What we need are more determined people who believe they can help change the course of this war. With more volunteers, we can make a real difference. But for that to happen, Europeans need to realize that their contribution could truly change the outcome of this conflict."
How can the war be ended faster? Sphynx believes that it is still dragging on because of the lack of real, decisive support from Western governments. While many countries have expressed solidarity with Ukraine, he feels that words alone are not enough to defeat a well-armed and ruthless enemy:
"I think Western governments are showing too much weakness. They need to take a strong political stand against russia’s totalitarian system. russia is killing people for nothing, just to grab more land. But for what? They already have the largest country in the world, yet they can’t even develop it, and still want more. So they attack Ukraine. The only way to stop them is to stand up to them and defeat them once and for all."
Ukraine needs stronger political backing, more weapons, and the courage from Western leaders to take a firm stand against russia’s aggression. Sphynx is convinced that if the West provided the necessary resources and took bolder action, it would shift the balance of power on the battlefield, allowing Ukraine to push out the occupiers more quickly and bring this war to a just end:
"I’m waiting for Western countries to show more courage and shift the balance of power against russia. That’s how we’ll achieve victory over these criminal forces of a totalitarian regime, led by people who have lost their dignity and reason — they’re consumed by madness."
Sphynx emphasizes that it was the actions of russian forces against Ukrainian civilians that motivated him to come to Ukraine. Seeing innocent people being targeted and homes destroyed was something he could not ignore. For him, it was no longer just a distant conflict — it was a call to stand up against brutality and injustice:
"Ukraine has been under attack for over three years. And it’s impossible to stand by and do nothing while the Ukrainian people are oppressed. That’s why I came to Ukraine to take part in this battle. The way russia is conducting this war is completely unfair. They have committed many atrocities here, including executions of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. We must put an end to this unjust and senseless situation. That’s why we have to be here — to support Ukrainians, and push russians out of Ukraine."
For Sphynx, Ukraine is a land of unbreakable people, perfectly embodied by his hero, Oleksandr Usyk. Long before he ever set foot on Ukrainian soil, Sphynx followed Usyk’s journey, watching every fight, every triumph, every moment the undisputed heavyweight champion raised his fists in victory:
"I’m more than just a fan — I’m inspired by him. Usyk’s victories give us strength and courage to keep fighting against russian troops. In him, I see the spirit of Ukraine — fearless, determined, and proud. It’s his example that fuels me as we fight for Ukraine’s freedom."
Sphynx is deeply assured that it’s no longer Ukraine’s battle. It’s Europe’s. And Ukraine’s victory is a victory for all of Europe. Ukraine’s fall will send a message to the world that aggression and occupation can succeed. So, every trench held here is a step toward securing a future where people are free to decide their own destiny. This conviction is what drives Sphynx to continue fighting:
"It’s now essential, even an obligation, for every European citizen to take part in this fight. Victory over russia is possible — and we will achieve it — if Europeans truly understand what has been happening here for over three years. Each of us should contribute to strengthening Ukrainian units, because this war now concerns all of Europe. Every European should find a way to help Ukraine win and ensure russia’s defeat."
Learn more about the International Legions for the Defense of Ukraine and find out how to join on the official website:https://ildu.mil.gov.ua/
Text: Dmytro Tolkachov
Photo: Volodymyr Patola, Sphynx
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