Elite Canadian sniper answers call to defend Ukraine against Russia

While thousands of Ukrainian civilians fled from the ongoing conflict in the country to Poland, an elite Canadian sniper went the other way, determined to help Ukrainian defence forces fight off Russia.

“I want to help them. It’s as simple as that. I have to help because there are people here being bombarded just because they want to be European and not Russian,” the sniper, who only identified himself by his nickname ‘Wali’, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in an interview.

A former sniper of the Royal 22e Regiment, Wali crossed into Ukraine from Poland earlier this week, and is a veteran sniper who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Wali told CBC that he had been greeted with hugs and handshakes by Ukrainians as he crossed into the eastern European country, answering a call by President Volodymyr Zelensky urging anyone willing to come to Ukraine’s aide.

“They were so happy to have us. It’s like we were friends right away,” Wali told CBC.

Since crossing into Ukraine, the elite sniper has linked up with other veterans and is reportedly in a temporary shelter, awaiting final orders to join up with territorial battalions.

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Wali is not the only foreign fighter who has answered the call to come to Ukraine’s aid: since Russia moved its troops into Ukraine, the eastern European country has lifted entry restrictions for foreigners willing to fight, and at least 16,000 foreign fighters have joined Ukrainians in the fight against Russia.

Ukraine has also armed willing citizens and is looking to expand its militia to 120,000 volunteers and 10,000 officers in a bid to hold off the Russian invasion force.

Ukraine also passed a new bill on Wednesday, making it legal for Ukrainian civilians to kill Russian soliders.

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“Civilians shall not be criminally liable for the use of firearms against persons who carry out armed aggression against Ukraine, if such weapons are used in accordance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine,” read the document signed by President Zelensky as per a translation.

While Ukrainians are stepping up efforts to resist the Russian invaders, Russia has resorted to brutal tactics, and has reportedly hit dozens of civilian targets as the conflict continues to rage with no ceasefire in sight.