Today, his weapon is a PKM machine gun, and his battlefield is the front lines of the russia-Ukraine war. Thirteenth has fought through heavy battles in the Serebrianskyi Forest and was awarded the “Golden Cross” distinction for his participation in combat near Pokrovsk.
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Konrad came to Ukraine for personal reasons. But in the very heart of war, among those who arrived from all corners of the world, he realized: this is where he belongs:
“I came here to change something in my life. Before that, I had no combat experience. But I went through solid training here and began fighting shoulder to shoulder with great people.”
Before joining the Ukrainian army, the Pole had tried himself in various professions. The skills he gained have unexpectedly proven valuable on the front line, where not only marksmanship matters, but a whole range of abilities – from quick thinking to working with one’s hands:
“I worked as a builder, a mechanic. I did many different things. And my construction experience now helps me quickly build dugouts.”
Thirteenth first set foot on Ukrainian soil in 2022. In 2023, he became a fighter in the 2nd International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine. Since then, Ukraine has become a place of service and struggle for him, while trips home are merely pauses between rotations:
“I had one long break. I needed to clear my head. We went through too much, saw too much, got very tired. So I had to go back home.”
At home, Thirteenth is met with warmth and gratitude. People there understand: his fight is not only about Ukraine, but also about Poland’s security in the face of a threat from the northeast:
“It feels good when everyone in my town, all my teachers, know where I went and tell me: ‘Konrad, you’re doing a good thing.’”
At the same time, Thirteenth is a multifaceted person who expresses himself not only through bullets fired at the enemy, but also through more subtle forms:
“My hobby is painting. Painting and sculpture. I like making complex things. I also enjoy reading. But now I focus on training – it has become my main hobby.”
War has taught Konrad the most important lesson: to think and act at the edge of speed, when your life depends on seconds:
“The enemy wants to kill you first. So you have to move fast, change positions quickly.”
Every mission is a game with danger. Every sortie is a challenge where survival depends not only on personal qualities, but also on trust, coordination, and the support of brothers- and sisters-in-arms:
“My last mission was very tough. I lost about seven kilograms. I had to run a lot. But everything is fine. We survived. Good drivers evacuated us.”
For Thirteenth, war has a face – it is the people beside him. They are what keep him going when his strength is at its limit. Because in the end, in war, life often depends on the reliable shoulder next to you:
“We truly have a good team. We have good commanders. We have good training. Yes, it’s good here. This is all my family. Not just friends – this is family.”
That is why Konrad values loyalty and reliability above all. Military skills can be learned over time – through training and combat experience. But true devotion does not come with orders; each person must cultivate it within themselves:
“We need good warriors. Good, reasonable people. Not TikTokers who break contracts and jump from unit to unit. If you come to us—stay with us. We will become your family.”
In the midst of a war of this scale, it is not easy to think about the future. But for the Pole, this is not a burden – it is a source of strength. The unknown does not frighten him; it motivates him to stay and fight right here, where his belief in tomorrow is being forged:
“We don’t know what will happen next. That’s why I am here. I found my God here. I found my country here. I found my honor here.”
At the same time, Thirteenth feels a responsibility to convey a simple truth to his fellow countrymen: the threat from russia is real and inevitable. There will be no sitting it out, no waiting it out. That is why, Konrad believes, action and support for Ukraine are essential—because the truth once formulated by Jerzy Giedroyc remains relevant: without an independent Ukraine, there is no independent Poland:
“Poles, wake up at last. The whole world is in trouble. Our brothers are dying here. We simply need to wake up – for our brothers and sisters.”
Learn more about the Legionnaires of the Free World – and how to join the brave – on the official website.
Text: Dmytro Tolkachov Photo, video: Volodymyr Patola, Oleksandr Los Editing: Oleksandr Bekker
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