A United States Marine, known by his call sign “Uno,” has offered a sobering comparison between his combat experiences in the US Marine Corps and his current deployment with the Azov International Battalion in Ukraine. Speaking from a church destroyed by Russian aggression, Uno highlighted the brutal reality of the conflict, particularly the devastating rate of casualties.
Uno, originally from San Diego, California, a city known for its substantial naval and Marine presence, stated that his upbringing amidst military culture partially influenced his decision to join the US Marines at the age of 17. He described how the esteemed reputation of the Marines, deeply respected by his veteran grandfather, ultimately swayed him from joining the Army. Uno served for nearly five years as an infantry assaultman, rifleman, and scout swimmer, specialising in high explosives, frontline small unit tactics, and amphibious reconnaissance. He expressed surprise at how well his US Marine Corps training translated to the Ukrainian battlefield, especially his infantry skills.
Upon arriving in Ukraine in early 2024, Uno confessed that he knew little about the country beyond the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the Donbas war. He admitted to being “very surprised” by the modern infrastructure of Kyiv, expecting a more rural landscape. He was particularly impressed by Ukraine’s sophisticated banking systems and technological amenities, noting they surpassed some in the United States.
Sharing a deeply personal aspect of his journey, Uno revealed the varied reactions of his family to his decision to fight in Ukraine. His grandmother, grieving the loss of his father and grandfather, initially reacted with distress. However, his mother and siblings, familiar with his commitment as a Marine, were more understanding, with his mother expressing relief that it was not his brother, a mechanic, who had come to fight. Uno’s half Ukrainian brother, whose father’s family is from Ukraine and speaks the language, had also wished to fight, but Uno arrived first. His brother has since been a strong supporter, sending funds for equipment, equating to hundreds of pounds sterling, to assist Uno.
When asked about the most significant challenge he has faced in Ukraine, Uno pointed not to artillery or drones, but to the overwhelming loss of comrades. He contrasted it with his US military experience, where the bloodiest battle in two decades, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incident, resulted in around 30 Marine fatalities. Uno starkly noted that such a loss of life would be considered “a bad day on a position here,” illustrating the high intensity and scale of the Ukrainian conflict. He acknowledged the revolutionary and terrifying nature of modern combat mechanisms, particularly drones, which are heavily televised and can be desensitising or intensely real. Despite this, he emphasized his reliance on spiritual fortitude, believing that if it is not his time to die, no Russian munition can harm him.
Uno elaborated on his decision to join Azov, a unit he acknowledged was stigmatised by Russian propaganda. He explained that Ukrainian friends had clarified its true principles and its vision for a future Ukraine. He found the Azov culture, with its emphasis on brotherhood and unity for a common goal, to be remarkably similar to the US Marine Corps, a familiarity that deeply resonated with him. He highlighted the “linear” rank structure within Azov, where even the most junior soldier’s opinion is heard and considered, fostering a collective approach to problem solving, a strength he believes is invaluable, especially with international and Ukrainian members contributing diverse perspectives.
As an instructor within the battalion, Uno focuses on instilling discipline, accountability, and, crucially, a sense of reality in new recruits, sharing personal combat stories to underscore the gravity of their mission. He urged Americans to continue supporting Ukraine, framing the conflict as a centuries old, legitimate struggle for sovereignty and self determination, a principle that should resonate with all Americans. He encouraged financial support through donations to the Azov and Azov International websites, and also urged people to counter Russian disinformation by openly discussing the unit and its true purpose. For prospective recruits, his advice was blunt: “know what this is” and “what it will take from you,” distinguishing it starkly from conflicts veterans of other wars might have experienced. He underscored that donations, whether financial or equipment based, are a “lifeline” for frontline units, literally making the difference between life and death.
