Warrior by Nature
Hades has been a soldier for almost twenty years. His path began in the Colombian army and later led him to the French Foreign Legion, where he served for nearly four years. After that, the fighter worked with private military companies across Africa and the Middle East — in Senegal, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, and Somalia. When russia attacked Ukraine, Hades had already exchanged the barracks for a civilian roof, yet he could not remain indifferent in the face of injustice:
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"I lived in Germany and Switzerland, working and building my life there. But in 2022, my former commander called me and asked to join a special forces unit in Ukraine. I decided to come, because the russians are invaders. No nation on earth has the right to steal freedom from another. I fight against that."
Polyglot of Rifles
During his extensive military career, Hades became proficient with a vast arsenal of infantry rifles. That breadth of experience proved invaluable in Ukraine, where the battlefield constantly demands versatility:
"When I served in the Colombian army, my primary weapon was the Galil — an Israeli-made rifle, quite similar to the AK. Later, in the French Foreign Legion, I specialized as a sniper. During deployments in Africa and the Middle East, I worked with the German Heckler&Koch rifles. When I arrived in Ukraine in 2022, I started again with the AK, later transitioned to the CZ BREN, and now I carry a mini AK – AKS-74U."
Although Hades could easily handle newer assault rifles, he still prefers the AK platform. A key reason behind his choice is the fact that seized enemy positions frequently yield abandoned Kalashnikovs:
"Over time, I collected many trophies from the enemy on the front line — mostly their AKs. It may be an old weapon, but it's far from obsolete. Of course, rifles like the CZ BREN or M4 are more modern. But the AK has its own strength: it works anywhere — in sand and water — when everything else may fail."
In the War's Face
Hades' work is almost entirely infantry. There, amid mud, rubble, and shattered trees, he meets the enemy directly, confronting the brutal face of combat without shields of distance or machines:
"The mission is always the same and simple: destroy the enemy. And how do we achieve that? By killing them. There is no other way."
Yet every triumph carries a weight of risk. That is why each successful mission deserves recognition:
"Here in Ukraine, I have received many medals, because I've served in some of the hottest places. For example, last year I was in Staromayorske, in the Donetsk region. I held my position there for 21 days. I almost lost my life and spent nearly six months in the hospital recovering."
United in Purpose, Forged in Skill
Hades believes that it's the purpose that sets the International Legion apart from the enemy. Every person who joins the Legion and fights alongside Ukrainians knows exactly why they are here:
"We fight for the freedom of Ukraine. It's that idea in our minds that gives us strength. The enemy has nothing to fight for. Many of them come to the zero line as if asking to be killed, because they don’t want to return home."
Still, volunteers must bring more than courage to defeat the enemy. To fight alongside warriors like Hades, they must master a specific set of skills:
"99% of the people who joined the First Battalion came from other countries. In those countries, many of them served in the military, often in special units. We are all well-trained, almost like a special forces unit.
The enemy, on the other hand, wants to win this war with quantity, not quality. They just keep sending people forward — wave after wave to the zero line. Why do they come here to die? Because they are not soldiers, just foolish people sent by their commanders to their deaths."
Physical fitness, tactical awareness, weapon proficiency, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are just the beginning. Hades is pretty sure it also takes something more:
"Survival instinct is the most important thing a person has. Many who came here are not professional soldiers — they are ordinary men who simply want to fight against the invaders. But what keeps them alive is instinct."
Finding a New Home
Hades has seen many countries throughout his life, experiencing different cultures and ways of life. Yet, he made a deliberate choice to call Ukraine his home:
"I am fighting for Ukraine because now my family is here: my wife is Ukrainian. I want to have children, raise them in this country, and stay here for the rest of my life."
The legionnaire has fallen in love with Ukraine — and love, he knows, comes with understanding. So he keeps exploring the country to feel its pulse firsthand:
"I've traveled across almost the entire country. Whenever I have the chance, I take a train or a bus to explore cities like Odesa, Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. Donetsk Oblast is wonderful, which makes it even more tragic that it is now overrun by all these orcs."
Hades still finds Ukraine remarkably similar to his native Colombia. Perhaps it is these shared features that give him a sense of belonging despite being far from his homeland:
"The nature is just as stunning as in Colombia. The food is another similarity. When I first came to Ukraine, I was amazed at how much Ukrainians cherish their cuisine. Much the same as we do in Colombia. Ukraine is also a special Christian nation where family matters above all. In Colombia, it’s the same: family comes first."
Language is the bridge to a new country and its culture. Hades knows this and dedicates himself to learning Ukrainian:
"The Ukrainian language is very beautiful. My wife wants me to speak Ukrainian at home. So I ask her in Ukrainian, "I want breakfast, I want lunch, I want dinner. Let's go to the store, let’s go downtown, let's go to the market."
Sober Thoughts, Steady Hands
Hades has a clear message for those who are ready to step up: success here is not about heroism alone — it is about preparation, endurance, and knowing why you fight:
"It's tough. Everyone knows that on any mission, they could die. This is a long war. The enemy thought it would be a four-day special operation to capture Kyiv. Now it's become a four-year struggle."
Even men of steel need a moment to breathe. Hades knows how grueling it is to endure a war of such relentless intensity. Yet, despite the hardship, he urges not to give up:
"Many people get tired. Even those of us fighting for freedom here in Ukraine feel exhausted and want to leave. But I always encourage people to return, because we are on the right side of history. So eventually, they come back. Because they know the front line is relentless, and our duty isn’t finished yet."
Learn more about the International Legions for the Defense of Ukraine and find out how to join here: https://ildu.mil.gov.ua/
Text: Dmytro Tolkachov
Photos & Video: Volodymyr Patola
Video Editing: Oleksandr Los
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