By Kuba Stezycki

KORCZOWA, Poland (Reuters) – As Ukrainian refugees throng border crossings to flee the Russian invasion, struggle veteran Dmytro Dovzhenko is headed in the wrong way from Poland to rejoin his army unit.

The 40-year-old, who fought in Donbass in 2014, advised Reuters on Friday that he had left his spouse and two youngsters behind and was amongst some 700 former Ukrainian troopers in Poland he estimated had been returning residence to struggle.

“My household wasn’t too blissful about me leaving,” stated Dovzhenko, sporting his army fatigues and a big signet ring inscribed “Loyal Endlessly” from his marine unit in Ukraine.

“I hope to return again to my household. If I do not return, I hope every little thing will probably be alright.”

Russia has launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea. 1000’s of Ukrainians have begun arriving in neighbouring central European nations.

With missiles pounding the Ukrainian capital on Friday and Russian forces urgent their advance, Dovzhenko minimize a peaceful determine as he smoked a cigarette and ready to drive throughout the border on his manner into battle.

“Others are both in Ukraine or they’re on their solution to Ukraine,” Dovzhenko, who runs a basis for Ukrainian veterans throughout the European Union, stated on the facet of the freeway. “Numerous automobiles are going again.”

The previous soldier has lived in Poland since 2019 however has ready for weeks to return residence at a second’s discover if Russia invaded.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Veterans has stated there have been no statistics on what number of veterans from the battle that began in 2014 had been overseas. However there are 420,000 folks registered as having as soon as defended Ukraine.

Dovzhenko stated he didn’t know what number of veterans throughout Europe would return however he predicted 1000’s of former troopers would discover a manner residence to face Russian troops.

“To the start of Ukraine and the start of the struggle, we drive,” stated Dovzhenko earlier than honking his automotive horn and driving off to cross the border. “I hope I will probably be again and I hope Russia will probably be destroyed.”