Steve Brooks, a British ex-Army Medic who volunteered to train medically train Ukraine troops, said he saw “inhuman” acts while he was in the war.
The 46-year-old former Army medic supported by local Somerset Aid for Ukraine and his wife Tabby at home travelled from his hometown in Shepton Mallet in the UK to volunteer during the war, helping to train soldiers on first aid response.
Mr. Brooks says he was inspired to volunteer after watching the news of the war while confined to his sofa recovering from an illness.
“The bombing of the maternity hospital was horrendous, the schools were horrendous.”
Once in Ukraine, he spent six weeks providing a course with “three of four life-saving skills” for the battlefield.
Mr. Brooks said he went from being scared “all the time” to too tired that he “couldn’t even be bothered” when sirens blew to announce air raids.
“So I just put a pillow over my head and hoped for the best.”
Mrs. Brooks said: “The first day he told me [he wanted to travel to Ukraine] I was really angry because I was frightened, but then we got into practical mode. It became something he needed to do.”
Mr. Brooks said that what he saw in Ukraine was harrowing and would live with him forever.
“Some of the things that I saw human beings doing to other human beings will probably stay with me for the rest of my life,” Mr. Brooks said.
“What’s going on in Ukraine is terrifying, but the most humbling thing I have ever been through.”
He however tried to keep things light while in the Ukraine war by listening to the radio while he was there.
“I always listened to BBC Radio Somerset in the mornings. I wanted to lighten the mood a little bit when I was over there so I would put it on and get other people involved.
“Humour keeps you going everyday. You have to laugh otherwise you won’t be able to do the job.”
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