'This is not a video game': Panamanian ex-combatant warns of war's harsh reality in Ukraine

A Panamanian who claims to have fought and trained troops in Ukraine has issued a stark warning to foreigners considering joining the conflict, emphasizing that the reality of war is far removed from any romanticized notion. Camilo Florez stated that upon arrival, foreign fighters often have their passports confiscated, effectively surrendering control of their lives to the forces they join.

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When you arrive, they take your passport. They take everything and your life already belongs to them.

Florez decided to share his experiences publicly after observing a growing interest among Panamanians in traveling to Ukraine to participate in the war. He aims to disabuse potential volunteers of any misconceptions, stressing that the situation on the ground is grim and dangerous. He recounted instances where he had even encouraged friends to join him, only to later realize the perilous conditions and the impossibility of guaranteeing their safety.

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The idea of this is to be able to create awareness for potential aspirants; there are many people who are motivated to come, they write to me how I do it to leave. Even there was a moment where, I myself to colleagues of mine who have worked with me here in Panama, I told them: 'Come with me, let's go, I have a safe place', until it became a point where I knew that you can't go.

Initially motivated by his military background and international certifications, including NATO accreditations, Florez traveled to Ukraine in 2024 with a group of international fighters. They traveled without intermediaries or prior contracts, simply deciding to go and help. After a brief return to Panama, he was contacted by the Ukrainian Army to serve as a military instructor. He accepted and joined a unit known as Régimen 425 Escala, undertaking combat missions before transitioning to training roles.

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We as a group decided: 'Let's go to war to see how we can help there'. We simply took a plane and left without an invitation letter. We simply went to cross the border; there weren't so many requirements yet.

However, Florez's perception of the conflict shifted dramatically during his time as an instructor. He observed that a significant portion of the individuals he trained were not willing volunteers. Under Ukraine's martial law, many of the trainees were either prisoners or individuals apprehended from the streets, highlighting a stark contrast to the idea of voluntary participation in the war effort.

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From the Ukrainian army itself, they contacted me and told me that I could be useful to them if I could provide service as an instructor. I decided to return and this time I went on my own. I didn't go with the group and I went to a unit called Régimen 425 Escala. In this unit I entered and there I began to operate as an instructor. They asked me to go on a mission twice. It is impossible for them to promote you to instructor if you have not been on missions. I went on a mission twice and from there I started working as an instructor.