Edith Hejberg
Working in a warehouse for Ocado at the time, Knight asked for a sabbatical to join the fight.
When Russia invaded in early 2022, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky appealed for foreign volunteers. Among those who answered was Jack Knight, a former Royal Engineers bomb disposal expert.
From Council Estate to Combat Zone
Raised on a south London council estate, Knight had always dreamed of active service. His great-great-grandfather won the Victoria Cross in World War I, and Knight felt he had missed his own chance for combat when Afghanistan wound down.
Ukraine offered him that opportunity, albeit without the air support, evacuations, or backup British forces once enjoyed in past wars.
Facing the Reality of War
The shock of heavy artillery on his first missions in Ukraine was overwhelming. The blasts shook his entire body, yet he found it exhilarating.
For Knight, it wasn’t just about the cause; it was about feeling alive in the most extreme of circumstances.
The Foreign Legion’s Diverse Ranks
Colin Freeman’s book The Mad and the Brave profiles a dozen volunteers like Knight. Some were veterans, others complete novices, and a few were ex-criminals seeking redemption.
The Ukrainian Foreign Legion drew at least 20,000 applicants from across the world, with up to 1,000 Britons among them.
A Prisoner in Russian Hands
Former British infantryman Andrew Hill was shot and captured early in the war.
For four months, he endured beatings, electrocution, and death threats before being freed in a prisoner exchange brokered by oligarch Roman Abramovich.
Learning on the Frontline
Scottish tractor engineer Douglas Cartner joined the Legion without any military training. He crammed for combat by reading manuals, watching YouTube, and asking veterans for advice.
On his first day, he nearly opened fire on friendly forces, a close call that underscored how quickly mistakes could turn deadly.
Bonds Forged in Battle
Cartner took part in Ukraine’s 2022 counter-offensive, regaining thousands of square miles. Volunteers formed tight bonds across nationalities, their loyalty to each other often outweighing fear.
As Cartner put it, “War is as much about protecting your friends as fighting your enemies.”
Returning Home to Silence
Legionnaires returning to Britain received no parades, official recognition, or counselling services.
The Foreign Office advises against fighting in Ukraine, though unlike those who fought ISIS in Syria, none have been prosecuted. Many volunteers struggled to readjust, still mentally scanning for threats in everyday settings.
The Pull of the Battlefield
Many volunteers returned to Ukraine for multiple tours. For some, the camaraderie and adrenaline proved addictive.
Knight earned a bravery medal for rescuing wounded comrades from a minefield, and although back in Britain, he admits the thought of returning never fully leaves him.
A Future in Ukraine?
Now working as an ordnance technician in the UK, Knight is grateful to be alive. Yet Ukraine still calls to him, not for fighting, but for living.
With affordable housing, strong national pride, and a culture of self-reliance, he says it offers values he feels are fading back home.
