James Challice takes pride in what he’s doing helping people of Ukraine.
In fact, the 42-year-old said he’s never felt prouder – even despite what the Canadian military may think.
Challice left for Ukraine on a evening flight from Toronto on March 29, 2022.
His mission was simple – to help in anyway he could.
Since arriving there, he’s proud to say he’s done that.
Challice is a Canadian Forces member who has served the military for a number of years.
Watching what was happening in Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion he stated to Today’s Northumberland that he had to act.
Only letting a few people know, Challice boarded a flight and headed over to help in anyway he could.
In a 24-minute video interview Challice said at the present time he’s teaching Ukrainian’s who have never held a weapon how to fight.
Keeping his Ak-47 assault rifle close by him. Challice said due to security reasons he wouldn’t reveal his exact location, but did say he was close enough to hear the sounds of war.
“We’re training locals to defend themselves.”
Challice clearly says he’s teaching Ukrainian’s things he was taught in the Canadian military.
From army drills, defence drills, assault tactics and basic survival skills.
Unfortunately, the Ukrainian’s coming to learn only have three days to train, then the next wave of people come in for training.
When Challice spoke to Today’s Northumberland it was quiet, but that could change at any moment.
Describing Russian military as “the monsters” Challice said they have been regrouping.
“Everybody is on high alert here.”
But Challice can’t say enough about the Ukrainian people.
“These people are happy and the moral is absolutely phenomenal.”
“You think these people would be scared and terrified and really they’re not.”
“They’re ready to go.”
“These people have actually surprised me since day one. This is why I fell in love with these people. They have the determination, the heart and they’re coming together in short time to make things work.”
Seeing what the Ukrainian people can do and their fortitude, Challice doubts most Canadians would have the same because we’ve been spoiled over the years.
Not knowing what to expect when he arrived, the people have really taken him in and welcomed him.
The way Challice was trained by the Canadian military has helped him teach the Ukrainians how to defend themselves.
But Challice has harsh words some of the countries, including NATO and what they are supplying Ukraine.
“I’m right here in a spot where these people are making their own plates (body armour), making their own vests.”
Training men as young as 15 and as old as 60, they sometimes have two clips (a total of 30-bullets) to quickly learn everything about the gun.
“Sixty-bullets to defend themselves against the Monster Russia.”
Whereas Russian soldiers might have triple that number in magazines he says.
“Every shot counts and that’s what we’re teaching these locals.”
In Canada it takes months to be a soldier, yet in the Ukraine, they have three days.
In fact, seeing how determined the Ukrainian’s are, he’d trust them more than some of the people in Canada.
“I would trust all these people in this building to have my back, because they know I’ll have their back. There is not one person that would run away – it’s reality.”
“I’ve made a new family. I have brothers.”
“If I get into something I know that guy that I met for 10-minutes he’s going to have my back because we’re fighting for the same thing.”
Challice said with the heart and motivation he’s witnessed since being in Ukraine, their people will take back their country.
Before he started training the locals, Challice was on patrols in Kyiv and saw things he’ll never get out of his head.
“I’ve seen it first hand. Walking by with military guys and some Ukrainian military and looking down the street and seeing bodies on the ground. I saw a bus all shot up with civilians in it, I’ve seen bodies in man holes. They’re attacking civilians.”
When Challice went to Ukraine it wasn’t about or for politics, but as soon as he saw innocent civilians killed and dead in the streets – “it just made me sick.”
Calling the Russian Army “ruthless,” Challice said they aren’t taking prisoners.
“They are tying people up and shooting them in the back of the head – it is a real thing.”
Challice along with the Ukrainians know full well the Russians are re-grouping and “will come back in a lot harder.”
But the reservist says NATO has let the Ukrainian people down.
It’s a case of “to little to late for NATO.”
“These people could have defended themselves if they (NATO) would have mass supplied these people with arms.”
While patrolling again, he noticed a man that was landscaping and just found it hard to grasp the polar opposite of what he was seeing from one block to the next.
When he spoke with another soldier about what he saw, the soldier told him that he’s living as normal a life as he can under the circumstances and if the “monster” comes, “he’s going to turn around and fire back.”
Challice had been told Ukraine was a divided country before the Russians invaded, but since Volodymyr Zelenskyy became president everything changed.
“Now they are together more than ever.”
After witnessing how Ukraine has come together, Challice adamantly admits in Canada, “we’re too privileged.”
“We’d be to divided. It’s an eye-opener and it should be an eye-opener for Canada.”
Many years ago, Canada was still a “team,” but in the past 20-years, “we’re getting more divided by the minute.”
Challice said there could be repercussions when he arrives back in Canada from the message he received from his Commanding Officer stating his actions could have negative strategic consequences. And telling him that he is not allowed to wear Canadian Forces equipment and engaging in any duties, activities, training or parading any issued equipment without specific authorization.
“I brought down the equipment to save my life and if he doesn’t understand that – that’s to bad.”
Challice said there are people there wearing Canadian colours, along with other Canadians and Americans and French people.
“They are all over the place in different units. With or without their countries permission.”
As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Challice was disheartened that all his commanding officer was concerned about was the clothes he was wearing and not his safety.
“He doesn’t care about my life. He doesn’t care about my well being. All he cares about is the stuff and for me to get home.”
Challice said, “there is a good possibility,” he’ll face charges when he returns, but he has no regrets.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll take my punishment.”
“I came down here because people were dying and I had a skill that I can use to help them.”
When asked if he needed anything, Challice said with a smile and laugh that he’d appreciate toothpaste or normal toilet paper, “but I’m pretty good. I’m a survivor.”
For these people, they need items that NATO promised.
“Maybe they are giving to the military, and I have seen some stuff. But I haven’t seen much Canadian stuff.”
Challice said they were given helmets and night vision equipment, but half the night vision equipment is broken.
“It’s embarrassing. I’ve used it and half of it doesn’t work.”
Canada is sending equipment when some works, some doesn’t.
“They’re sending their junk. That’s what it feels like.”
And the Ukrainian people see it.
Canada and the US have lots of body armour, but he doesn’t know why they aren’t supplying Ukraine with them.
Even ammunition is relatively cheap, but the Ukrainian’s don’t have enough.
“I’m sure we can cough up some ammo. Ammo is pretty cheap.”
Before ending the call, Challice explained how the unit he is serving with now has a name.
When first arriving at the site, the Ukrainian’s found a kitten that was underneath a tire of a vehicle.
The kitten soon became the mascot and there is even a photo of it beside a grenade.
Challice showed a patch which translates to “Kittens Learning Centre” with a image of the cat and two rifles.
Challice expects to spend over 80-days in Ukraine and summing it up says, “I am down here for one reason and I don’t want to leave until I’ve done as much as I can.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
