Category Archives: Ukraine

The relentless violence in Ukraine could not be further from Danica Joysdottir's rural hometown of Kendenup in WA's Great Southern region.

While she had no family connection to Ukraine, Ms Joysdottir decided she could not just watch the war unfold from afar.

So, sheflew to Ukraine, ignoring the federal government's warning not to travel to the country.

Leaving her concerned partner and a four-year-old son at home, Ms Joysdottir said she would not have been able to live with herself if she did not act.

Through the Ukraine embassy, Ms Joysdottir has signed up to the so-called foreign legion the result of a call to arms from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"All friends of Ukraine who want to join the defence, come and we will give you arms," Mr Zelenskyy said last month.

Ms Joysdottir's partner described her journey as "stupid and selfish" and she agreed.

"He's absolutely right," she said.

"It's obviously stupid to take yourself into a war zone and selfish because I'm walking away from my life to follow my heart."

She said knowing her son was safe butUkrainian children were in danger helped formher decision.

"What if we were the ones getting bombed? I would want someone to come and help," she said.

Ms Joysdottir hoped to be assignedas a medic in the war zone, having held volunteer positions as an ambulance officer, lifeguard and fire fighter in Canada and Australia.

"I would rather not kill anybody, but the number one stance is to defend the people who are being attacked," she said.

"I'll do whatever needs to be done."

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued a 'do not travel' notice for Ukraine the highest of the four travel warning levels.

Speaking last month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Australian law was unclear on people joining the newly established legion.

"Our law sets out arrangements where people can be involved in official activity by a sovereign state which Ukraine obviously qualifies for," he said.

However, Mr Morrison said the parameters of President Zelenskyy's foreign legion wasn't fully understood.

"The nature of these arrangements are very uncertain," he said.

"At this time the legalities of such actions are uncertain under Australian law."

DFAT has been contacted for comment.

Originally posted here:

WA woman in Ukraine to join foreign legion and fight Russia, and hopes to work as a medic - ABC News