A North Okanagan man is headed to Europe to fight for Ukraine's independence.
Jaymz Alaniemi, a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, says he and other former members of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry "have made the decision to join the fight in Ukraine" after "much discussion and deliberation."
In a Facebook post, Alaniemi, who lives in the Grindrod-Enderby area, writes: "Ukraine is a vibrant democracy currently under attack by one of the world's most powerful militaries, and is appealing for all the help it can get.
"Not only do the people of Ukraine need help, but I worry for other countries in Europe as well."
Alaniemi says he has many relatives in his home country of Finland, which shares the largest European land border with Russia.
"I worry if Putin takes Ukraine, what if he doesn’t stop there?"
Alaniemi says, as volunteers, the group will be funding their own travel and equipment.
He's hoping to raise funds for flights, gear, body armour, food, and medical supplies.
"Our aim is to head out late March, early April by flying to Poland and crossing into Ukraine via the Polish border, where we will be armed, and transported by the Ukrainian Armed Forces."
Alaniemi says he is in contact with a larger group consisting of former British, Canadian, and French Foreign Legion members.
"If we can, we will deploy alongside them," he says.
Anyone wishing to help his cause is asked to reach him on Facebook.
Meanwhile, current members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Reserves have been banned from entering Ukraine unless their presence is approved by the chief of the defence staff.
