A Cobourg area man is continuing to help the people of Ukraine the best he can.
James Challice, age 42, from Roseneath left Canada for the Ukraine on March 29, 2022.
He’s been there ever since, helping in anyway.
Challice has a background with the Canadian Armed Forces and has been training Ukraine civilians how to use weapons and urban warfare outside of Kyiv.
Challice said the soldiers and instructors he’s trained are now training other soldiers so he may move to another area of the country.
“They don’t really need me now. I’ve been dying to get out and do more things.”
Recently he’s gone from a training role to joining the Ukraine Army while on patrol.
Speaking to Today’s Northumberland on Sunday, April 17, 2022. Challice said even though he’s far enough away from Kyiv he’s heard explosion from the city and could see the smoke.
During patrols the military has found Russian trenches and Ukraine snipers would watch the trenches for days in case of any activity.
Challice wants people to know that it’s not just Ukrainian men who are fighting – women are as well.
In a video sent, a woman Ukraine sniper is being trained using a machine gun.
Challice said he’s had the offer to go with a Polish reconnaissance team who has Americans on the team along with another Canadian from Alberta.
Contacts that Challice has are stuck at the Poland/Ukraine border with seven truck loads of military gear. In a earlier interview, Challice said they were starting to run low on ammunition.
“It’s all going down to the east and the south. When it comes to these areas around here, they’ve had time to set up a big dome around Kyiv so even if they tried any heavy action, there is a lot of stuff to shoot down now.”
Challice said with Russia slowing down their advancement it’s given time for the Ukrainian’s to “re-group and dig in.”
“Things have really turned around.”
At this point to Challice it appears Russia is just trying to “save face and take over the Donbas region as far as they can to take a chunk of pie.”
Challice also said he would also be resigning from the Canadian military.
A e-mail was sent to Challice from his Commanding Officer stating a voluntary release from the CAF is being processed.
“On your return, you can liaison with the Orderly Room for the return of issue equipment in order to mitigate any liability you have to the crown. Except for return of equipment, arranged
through the orderly room, you are not to attend on any of the Hasty P Garrisons without my express authorization.”
The Commanding Officer also stated, “I suggest you carefully consider you discussions with media and public entities. As this is public record, any loose comments you make, including
those considered critical of the Unit, its members, the CAF, the Canadian Government and our allies, may directly impact your ability to seek future engagement or employment with the government, including the CAF.”
Challice replied to his former Commanding Officer stating, “I will be back at some point and will deal with all of this upon my return. I am safe for now and helping save people as much as I can.
Thank you. for thinking of me and being there as a brother and a leader.”
Challice then states he’s being sarcastic.
“If this were to happen back home I would want my leader to care for me and have my well being at hand. I wouldn’t fight or work for someone that didn’t gave my back.”
“Furthermore I will continue to fight and be apart of this war because I believe in human life not its policy’s and procedures. I understand orders and I understand the value of following them. In this case I wasn’t asking permission because our govt or unit wasn’t doing anything to help. I had seen first hand the destruction and lives lost and will not sit by and watch it happen. That’s my
human right because I believe in life not death.”
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
