For Peter, the first brush with death was not just a moment; it was a turning point. This Irishman learned early on that such experiences would become part of his new reality.
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While observing Russian troop movements alongside the Ukrainian Army in the eastern regions near Bakhmut, Peter’s team received a call for reinforcements to a Ukrainian platoon. However, what unfolded was a massive Russian offensive, quickly encircling him and his colleagues. “In a situation like this, what do you do? You assess: Are we finished here? What are our options? The only logical choice was to take down as many of them as we could before it was our time to go,” shared Peter with candor.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, they made a daring move to escape. “We found a narrow route we hoped the Russians didn’t know about,” he recounted. “Navigating through it, we faced drone strikes and artillery fire.” Just when they thought they might evade capture, they were assaulted from the side by Russian infantry but continued to fight their way out.
“On that very first day, I thought, ‘We might not get out of this.’ After that, stepping back into combat felt surreal, with the constant knowledge that one misstep could end your life,” he noted, choosing to share his journey without revealing his real name as he processes this pivotal chapter in his life.
Despite his late 30s, Peter felt a deep responsibility toward the Ukrainian cause. “I entered the conflict aware of the risks. I didn’t leave Ireland naïvely; I was acutely aware that I might not return,” he admitted.
His decision to fight for Ukraine was rooted in a desire to defend Kyiv, recognizing it as pivotal for the nation’s fate. “If the capital fell, I believed the entire country would succumb to Russian dominance,” he expressed with urgency. Although his family knew he was heading into a volatile situation, they remained blissfully unaware of the detailed peril he was about to face.
In an unexpected twist, he took a taxi to the nearest recruitment center, eager to lend his military expertise to the Ukrainian Army—a move that was welcomed, given his background with the Irish Defence Forces.
Peter spent the initial weeks defending Kyiv, but as the Russians began losing their grip, he was redeployed to Kharkiv in the east. By the end of summer, he found himself entrenched in combat in Donetsk, participating in the strategic Kharkiv counteroffensive.
As a special forces operative, Peter and his team were tasked with identifying Russian positions and executing critical offensives to exploit weaknesses. “Every day was a new chaos, with little routine,” he said, reflecting on a disordered existence. “When we weren’t in combat, our days typically began with breakfast preparation and training.” Yet, rest was a luxury rarely afforded to his unit, as they were perpetually ready to respond to dire situations.
The Battle of Bakhmut
The Battle of Bakhmut stands out as one of the longest and deadliest confrontations during the ongoing conflict, spanning from August 2022 to May 2023. This brutal engagement drew stark parallels to the trench warfare of World War I, marking a significant chapter in the invasion. “The fighting there was among the fiercest I’ve ever witnessed,” Peter recalled. “The area became notorious for its danger to soldiers from both sides.” He remembered the unbreakable bond formed among those fighting together, enduring the risks for one another was a unique experience that forged deeper connections.
“There were moments of triumph amid the horrors; liberating a town and witnessing the joy of families emerging was unforgettable,” he shared, highlighting the emotional weight of their victories. “Finally reaching the Russian border during the Kharkiv counteroffensive was a surge of pride—we had achieved our mission of reclaiming land for Ukraine.”
Throughout the war, drones played a transformative role, presenting both an opportunity and a tactical challenge on the battlefield. “You had to maintain a 360-degree awareness to navigate the terrain,” Peter explained. “The presence of drones could change everything; it created a palpable tension—knowing that your demise could come swiftly and unpredictably.”
Upon returning to Ireland after his tenure in Ukraine, Peter struggled with the transition. “I knew I had to come back, preferably not in a box,” he stated. The oddity of feeling “safe” at home contrasted starkly with the peril he had lived through just days before.
Despite escaping without serious injuries, his mental well-being began to deteriorate. “I felt disconnected; I was still in ‘combat mode,’ avoiding interactions and isolating myself,” he reflected. A friend eventually connected him with Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), a charity dedicated to supporting veterans like him.
“The hardest part of coming home is the realization that everyone else is a civilian,” Peter remarked. “They haven’t experienced what we have. Conversing with fellow ex-military members brought solace and understanding,” he added, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences in healing.
Peter represents just one of seven known Defence Forces veterans who have returned from Ukraine and sought support from ONE. There is an urgent call for more veterans to step forward. Audra Larkin, a support officer at ONE, explained, “Our team comprises veterans from both the Irish Defence Forces and the Ukrainian Army, making our outreach relatable to those who have served.”
After two years back home, Peter has observed significant improvements in his mental health, largely attributed to ONE’s intervention. For him, the time spent in Ukraine was not just a chapter but a defining period in his life. “We participated in crucial actions that altered the war’s trajectory. Helping liberate territories from Russian forces is a memory I cherish deeply,” he affirmed.
Even after such harrowing experiences, when asked if he would return to the battlefield, his response was resolute: “Yes.”
“Returning to normal life often feels mundane compared to the purpose of combat—missions, liberating towns, and saving comrades,” he explained. “Those moments impart a profound sense of significance. Coming home, I realized I craved that sense of purpose, which I found lacking,” he concluded, succinctly capturing the emotional complexity of his journey.
“Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
