An Argentine soldier has volunteered to fight with the Ukrainian army, acknowledging he is likely to face high risks as “cannon fodder” in a conflict entering its fifth year. The involvement of foreign fighters highlights the ongoing international dimension of the war in Ukraine.
Matías Blanco, from Paraná, Entre Ríos province, is preparing to deploy to the front lines in Kharkiv in March. Since 2022, Ukrainian forces, supported by Western allies, have been engaged in intense fighting with the Russian army in the region.
Blanco anticipates his role will be in the trenches, where he recognizes the dangers are substantial. “Basically, we are preparing for an assault section, which means recovering trenches, lost territory, all those things,” he explained to Canal 9 Litoral.
“We are considered cannon fodder, because as we are from another country, we know what we are going to face,” Blanco admitted.
He stated he previously served for several years in a combat unit of the Argentine Army in Buenos Aires before returning to Paraná.
Blanco indicated he relied on self-study to prepare for combat, as the Argentine Army’s training in that area was “very basic.”
Seeking Fortune and Experience
Financial gain and the desire to gain experience beyond his time in the Argentine military are motivating factors for his decision to join the conflict. “The possibility arose because a friend is already there and told me what it’s like. He returned to Argentina and then went back again in February,” he said.
“The risk of death is high, but one already knows how to deal with the situation thanks to what the Army gave me and the training they give you there. It’s not like you arrive and they send you in – you receive separate preparation, because it’s a very modern war, with drones, robotic dogs and unmanned ground equipment,” Blanco detailed.
A documentary by TN, titled “Dying in a foreign war,” shows how an increasing number of Argentinians have left their homes and families to travel over 7,500 miles to fight in the largest armed conflict since the end of World War II.
Franco Sotto, a combatant who has been in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, cautioned others considering joining the fight. “I recommend that Argentinians thinking about coming do not do so,” he warned. “It’s hell,” he said, describing the experience of defending Ukrainian positions or participating in assault groups.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, following years of tensions and crises. The conflict, which has received substantial military and financial support for Kyiv from Western nations, has quickly escalated into a regional crisis with significant global repercussions.
