'A determined warrior and a true friend': an American who died defending Ukraine was buried in Kyiv

May 5 in Kyiv said goodbye to the American volunteer Christopher Campbell. He died on April 6 near Bakhmut, reports with the BBC.

Photo: IStock

Christopher James Campbell dropped out of school, sold his property and moved to Ukraine in the spring of 2022, reports NPR.

The 27-year-old American had military service experience in Iraq and Kuwait. After the start of the war, he fought on the side of Ukraine as part of the Azov Special Forces and then the Foreign Legion.

“He always said: “I feel that I have a unique ability to help. I have the knowledge to be here to fight and I have the ability to help people,” said Nelson Ramsey, Campbell's platoon sergeant when they served with the US Army in Iraq.

In addition to serving in the army, Christopher also joined the volunteer movement.

“He was a brave and determined warrior, a true friend, a man with principles and values,” wrote the Vilni volunteer movement, which the American helped.

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We said goodbye to Christopher near St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in the center of Kyiv.

On the subject: Former US soldier killed in Ukraine: his contract ended in March, but he did not want to leave

His fiancee Ivanna Sanina received a blue and yellow flag from the military in gratitude for protecting the country.

Campbell bequeathed to be buried in Ukraine.

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Following his last wish, Chris was buried in Ukraine, the country he loved and where he found his love, for which he gave his life, as Ivanna's father, director Oles Sanin, wrote on Facebook.

“Chris was a veteran with extensive military service, having served five years in Iraq and Kuwait. With the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, he stood up to defend the country and fought against the Russian occupiers, first as part of the Azov special forces, and then continued his service in the Foreign Legion. His experience and dedication were invaluable to his brothers-in-arms,” noted the father of the volunteer’s bride.

"The Best Men in the World"

He is one of at least nine Americans known to have died in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, according to the Associated Press.

"The best men in the world are here right now," Sanina said at Christopher's funeral.

“He really helped us understand vehicles, weapons and tactics,” said Gleb Fishchenko, who helped recruit Campbell to fight in Ukraine. “The information he gave us is still useful.”

Sanina said she has a deep appreciation for the families of foreign volunteers, like the Campbells, who know the risks their loved ones face in Ukraine.

“How can a mother support her son going to war? - said Sanina. “I don’t know if I could have been in their place.”

Cherie Campbell, Christopher's mom, watched the funeral live from their Florida home as the US State Department continues to advise Americans to avoid traveling to Ukraine.

“After the war, he dreamed of buying a farm in the mountains and being with the love of his life,” the soldier’s mother said in a statement.

Sanina said that Campbell was already on his way to becoming fluent in Ukrainian. He wanted to ask her parents for marriage blessings in their own language.

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“God does not divide humanity by skin color, nationality, or even faith, so we honor the heroism of all who defend life, defend freedom, and defend love,” Father Georgy Kovalenko, rector of the Open Orthodox University of Hagia Sophia, said during a speech at Campbell's funeral .

“He was brave, like a Ukrainian. He was stubborn, like a Ukrainian,” Sanina said. “He himself became Ukrainian.”

“They are the brave sons of Ukraine who did everything to prevent people like me from being raped and killed… They prevent genocide,” Sanina said of the foreign military helping Ukraine.

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