Brazilian volunteer ‘fighting U.S. imperialism’ in Donbass

“I came to Novorossiya in December to combat U.S. imperialism,” said Rafael, who defined imperialism as “those who dictate the rules behind the scenes, the international bankers who profited from illegal wars to overthrow governments like Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi or Bashar Assad.”

In his opinion, this same scheme applied by the United States in the Middle East was repeated in Ukraine where “they funded groups to generate protests to overthrow the government of Viktor Yanukovych and then place a puppet of imperialism in the presidency.”

Training and combat wounds

Upon arrival in Novorossiya, the Brazilian was sent along with the other members of the United Continentale battalion to a base in Novoazovsk, just three kilometers from the city of Mariupol, dominated by Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoisky, who funds the Azov battalion of the Ukrainian Army.

“During the month of training there was constant shelling, the climate was very tense,” he said.

“Our instructor was a NATO veteran, and even today I have not heard his real name,” recalled the young man, who in January was already at the front near Mariupol resisting Ukrainian bombing.

It was there that he received injuries that kept him in a hospital in Donetsk for the next 54 days.

“During a bombing two astillazos hit me, piercing my lungs and reaching the spine,” he recalled.

Warmth in Novorossiya

“My best experience has been the reception from the people of Donbass. It’s amazing how I’ve been received in Novorossiya; when I say I’m Brazilian everything becomes a party,” said the young man, who was surprised by the warmth of the people and the custom of offering gifts to guests, which he witnessed as a result of his hospital stay.

“Many soldiers who were visiting relatives in the hospital came through my room to see the Brazilian who had come to fight for Novorossiya,” said Rafael, who especially remembers an old man who wanted to give his own watch at the end of a visit as a sign of admiration.

“These things motivate me even more,” he said.

“After the first surgery I did not know the severity of my injuries, the doctors only knew a few words in Spanish and I barely understood them,” recalled Rafael who, however, did understand the diagnosis that would torment him until his second surgery: “fractured spine.”

“For many days I couldn’t feel my legs, I could barely move and only with great effort,” said the Brazilian.

Fortunately, his strong constitution and luck were on his side during the recovery. While today he says he “cannot run,” physical therapy exercises will allow him to “recover quickly.”

Return to activity

“Right now I am serving in a battalion of Cossacks in Donetsk,” said Rafael, who noted that his greatest mission now is to “strengthen security inside the city and exploration work in areas close to enemy lines”.

Back in action, and despite his injuries, the Brazilian did not hesitate for a moment when declaring his commitment to the struggle in Novorossiya: “I don’t mind dying for my ideals, but I will kill anyone who is willing to kill to give more power to U.S. imperialism.”