Why a Canadian volunteer combat medic is fighting in Ukraine
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Why a Canadian volunteer combat medic is fighting in Ukraine
Reuters
Published Mar 08, 2025 10:41 PM PHT
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Updated Mar 08, 2025 11:38 PM PHT

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In early 2022, April Hugget, a Canadian mother of three, faced a decision that would change her life and that of her family.
In early 2022, April Hugget, a Canadian mother of three, faced a decision that would change her life and that of her family.
Moved by the harrowing news from Bucha, Ukraine, where civilians were brutally killed and tortured by the invading Russian forces, Hugget felt compelled to act. Despite the heart-wrenching thought of leaving her children behind, she knew she had to do something more.
Moved by the harrowing news from Bucha, Ukraine, where civilians were brutally killed and tortured by the invading Russian forces, Hugget felt compelled to act. Despite the heart-wrenching thought of leaving her children behind, she knew she had to do something more.
After months of fundraising and volunteering, Hugget, a medical instructor by trade, decided to take her commitment a step further. By December 2024, she had trained as a combat medic and joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces, dedicating herself to aiding those on the front lines in the Donetsk region.
After months of fundraising and volunteering, Hugget, a medical instructor by trade, decided to take her commitment a step further. By December 2024, she had trained as a combat medic and joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces, dedicating herself to aiding those on the front lines in the Donetsk region.
On a cold, winter day, Hugget walked alongside Ukrainian servicemen, her determination evident. She embraced her role fully, insisting on carrying her own weight and dismissing offers of assistance with a firm, "I am not a woman, I am a soldier."
On a cold, winter day, Hugget walked alongside Ukrainian servicemen, her determination evident. She embraced her role fully, insisting on carrying her own weight and dismissing offers of assistance with a firm, "I am not a woman, I am a soldier."
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Hugget's dedication was driven by a vision for a better future for her children. She worried about the world they would inherit if aggression went unchecked.
Hugget's dedication was driven by a vision for a better future for her children. She worried about the world they would inherit if aggression went unchecked.
Hugget said it was difficult to leave her children behind.
Hugget said it was difficult to leave her children behind.
"I could give them some great memories being at home, baking cookies, and taking them to school," adding "What kind of future am I going to leave for my children if Russia wins here?
"I could give them some great memories being at home, baking cookies, and taking them to school," adding "What kind of future am I going to leave for my children if Russia wins here?
Her resolve was further strengthened by the global implications of the conflict. Hugget voiced concerns the impact of the events in Ukraine elsewhere in the world.
Her resolve was further strengthened by the global implications of the conflict. Hugget voiced concerns the impact of the events in Ukraine elsewhere in the world.
"If Russia continues here, it is a signal to all dictators in the world, all these people are watching: China is watching, North Korea is watching, Iran. All these places are watching to see how we (the West) will react. Our ability as people to forget what doesn’t’ directly affect us works in favor of dictators, " she said. - report from Reuters
"If Russia continues here, it is a signal to all dictators in the world, all these people are watching: China is watching, North Korea is watching, Iran. All these places are watching to see how we (the West) will react. Our ability as people to forget what doesn’t’ directly affect us works in favor of dictators, " she said. - report from Reuters
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