23-05-2025
Kiwi joins Ukrainian Army to fight Russian invasion
He is in the 23rd Separate Mechanised Brigade - a brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in February 2023, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
'I did a fair bit of personal training before coming here, so I could pass the physical fitness requirements.'
Cass arrived in Ukraine in January. In his first hours in Ukraine, just after stepping off the train, he immediately heard an air-raid warning.
He said it's hard to articulate what being in combat is like to those who haven't experienced it.
'You definitely have to shut out the thought of dying and just focus on the mission. It's mentally and physically taxing, though often you don't really notice it building up.
'It's quite draining, but I have a whole lot of people and things to fight for, so I won't give up. You never know what a mission will be like before you go.
'I hate going to and from the combat positions more than I dislike actually being there. FPVs buzzing around and artillery hitting close by definitely keep the adrenaline pumping.'
While he didn't have previous military training, he does have a passion for video games.
'I play Shadow of Chernobyl and War Thunder with my squadmates. Funny story about War Thunder - the modelling of tank armour in that game is quite realistic, so one time during an anti-armour mission, I remembered the weak part of a T-72 we killed based on my knowledge from that game.'
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, starting the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II. New Zealand authorities have condemned the attack by Russia since the invasion began.
He admits it's upsetting to travel through Ukrainian towns, not unlike some New Zealand towns, and see them destroyed by the war, but what gets him through is remembering who he's fighting for.
'If I dwell on it too much, yeah, it's pretty upsetting to think about.
'I'm always amazed by the resilience of people trying to live their lives here. Just like back home, people are just trying to get by; they go to work, go home to their families, even as war rages around them, they live on and endure.'
Cass said friends and caregiver [whom he considers his mum] have supported his decision, but are still worried for his safety.
'My friends have been super supportive and lovely, and sent me care packages from back home. I've always liked to say that my friends are my family.
'I think of them when I fight. I think of my friends at home in NZ and around the world too. I would rather fight the Russian invaders here than risk the chance they win and move to invade somewhere even closer to home.'
Despite being thrown into combat, he said he is lucky not to have sustained many injuries.
'[I] buggered my hand up pretty badly after having an ammunition crate dropped on it but nothing too crazy, haven't lost any limbs or anything.
He is the only Kiwi in his tight-knit team, whom he describes as his brothers.
One of the biggest challenges is the language barrier, but his brothers-in-arms are helping him learn alongside his girlfriend in Kyiv.
'My lovely girlfriend and Duolingo are also great helpers.
'It's funny, I came here for war and found love instead. Well, I've found both really.'
After the war, he said he wants to stay in Ukraine.
'They'll never defeat Ukraine's greatest weapon: our spirit.'
