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France 24
France 24
Politics

‘We hope to arrive in time’: From soldiers to doctors, French volunteers head to Ukraine

Ukraine France FRANCE 24
A bystander walks past a fresco in Paris by street artist Seth depicting a girl with a Ukrainian flag walking on tanks on March 1, 2022. © Joel Sagat, AFP

As France evacuates its citizens from Ukraine, FRANCE 24 spoke to some French nationals who are heading in the opposition direction. A former soldier and an intensive care doctor reveal why they plan to enter the war zone while a nurse and a logistics expert explain how they are organising to send medical supplies to Ukraine later this week.

“I really don’t know what awaits me. I’ve never experienced a real war.” Aurélien (not his real name) is a former soldier in the French army and a hospital porter who feels he could be useful to the Ukrainian resistance. He plans to leave his home in northern France, with at least one other French volunteer, and drive to Ukraine via Poland this week.

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