‘Lucky young man’: Canadian volunteer fighter survives missile attack in Ukraine

A Canadian man was injured when a military base near Ukraine’s western border was struck by Russian missiles on the weekend, says the head of an organization now helping the volunteer fighter get back home.

Chris Ecklund of Fight For Ukraine said the man’s injuries are superficial. He was struck by glass and metal fragments that he “basically picked … out himself” and may have a slight concussion and some hearing loss.

A Ukrainian firefighter walks inside a large food products storage facility which was destroyed by an airstrike in the early morning hours on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, March 13, 2022. Waves of Russian missiles pounded a military training base close to Ukraine’s western border with NATO member Poland, killing 35 people.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Fight for Ukraine has been providing logistical information for Canadians who want to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. The government of Canada has not sent troops to Ukraine and is advising against Canadians travelling to the war-torn country.

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The United Nations estimates at least 636 civilians have been killed and 1,125 wounded in the conflict as of Tuesday morning.

Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Sabrina Williams said in a statement that the department is aware a Canadian was injured in Ukraine following missile strikes over the weekend.

“Consular official are in contact with the individual and stand ready to provide assistance,” Williams said. “Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed.”

‘Absolute miracle’ young man was not killed

Ecklund said the injured Canadian sent pictures of the destruction following the missile strikes. Images show a huge hole in the ground, structures on fire, broken glass, and burning buildings. Some of the man’s documents, including his passport, were also destroyed, he said.

“The destruction was just incredible,” Ecklund said. “He’s a lucky young man that he’s alive.”

Foreign and Ukrainian soldiers cross an improvised path under a destroyed bridge in Irpin, outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, March 12, 2022. Kyiv northwest suburbs such as Irpin and Bucha have been enduring Russian shellfire and bombardments for over a week prompting residents to leave their homes. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In a war such as this, Ecklund added, he plans for the worst and hopes for the best.

“It was just an absolute miracle that there were no Canadians amongst the dead and the injured,” he said. “Right now, we just know of the one — this one person.”

Ecklund did not provide details about the man or where in Canada he is from, only saying that the man has since been evacuated out of Ukraine.

“We got him a hot meal to just to kind of raise his spirits a little bit. Because after going through such a traumatic event, I thought, you know what, let’s get a nice hot meal in his stomach. Got him a beer too. So he appreciated that,” he said.

Ecklund said his organization, which he described as an information portal, has seen about 300 people “come through our website.” The injured Canadian had signed up and then followed steps to get authorization from the Ukrainian Embassy, he said.

The Ukrainian government said about 20,000 foreigners from various nations have joined the so-called International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine — most of them from western countries.

Vancouver man helping with vital supplies

Another man has also seen the impact the invasion is having on Ukraine, and is trying to help in every way he can.

Oleh Hlyniailiuk is a year too young to join the military and has no previous combat experience, but that hasn’t stopped him from helping out with the war effort in Ukraine.

“I can tell that it was only with God’s help that I got here because it was a pretty hard way,” he said.

The 26-year-old Ukraine native left Vancouver, where he had been living since November, to return home after Russia attacked earlier this month.

He is now coordinating with charities in Canada, Poland, and Austria to help deliver for supplies to other Ukrainians in need.

He said this includes everything from food to flashlights, boots, batteries, over-the-counter medicines, and tactical gear.

“The first thing I do when I wake up is thank that I’m alive and then I check the news.”

Oleh Hlyniailiuk spoke with CityNews about his plans to return to his hometown to help his mother and his country. Submitted.

Hlyniailiuk said he misses Vancouver.

“I would love to travel in B.C. right now and do some hiking and trekking,” he said with a laugh.