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Former US Army member traveling to Ukraine to help fight Russia

He said he never believed that Putin would invade - and now felt he had to do something after seeing civilians bombed and killed.

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Jericho Skye, 25, from L.A. gets a ride from a truck driver as he crosses the border to Ukraine in Dorohusk, Poland. (Photo by Adam Gray via SWNS)

By Ed Cullinane via SWNS

A half-British US Army veteran has traveled to Ukraine to help fight Russia - and will "do what is necessary" to stop Putin.

Dad-of-one Jericho Skye, 25, is from California, has volunteered for the Ukrainian Foreign Legion.

He said he never believed that Putin would invade - and now felt he had to do something after seeing civilians bombed and killed.

Jericho served as a military policeman in the 137th Military Police Detachment of the US army.

He has never served in active combat but says he isn't scared of the Russian army.

Jericho today (Mon) got a ride from a truck driver as he crossed the border to Ukraine in Dorohusk, Poland.

(Photo by Adam Gray via SWNS)

He said: "I have a set of skills that are always there.

''There's a very real enemy, and it's really easy to understand what our mission is here - to defend the country.

"My heart goes out to the Russian soldiers to be honest.

"From what I've read they didn't even know what they were getting into, and they're a conscripted military, so I'm going to be fighting against 18/19-year-old kids that didn't sign up for this.

"There will be professional soldiers of course, but a lot of them will just be here doing their national service.

"My heart bleeds for those kids, I don't have any animosity towards the Russian people.

"I'll do what is necessary, but I'll really feel bad if I have to take their life when they don't want to be here.

''I hope they realize what is happening and go home."

Leaving behind a five-year-old son and his parents, Jericho says he isn't scared to fight but hopes that his family doesn't have to face losing him.

He said: "No I'm not really nervous, It's kind of weird but it's just what I do - it's what I'm trained for.

"I have a son, and I feel good about being here and what we're doing.

"I have hope that I'll get home eventually, but if I had any sort of fear it's that my mum and dad are still alive and my son is still alive, but I'd never want to put them through losing me.

"It's in the realm of possibility of course but I have a good feeling about it."

Jericho said he was shocked to see the number of refugees on the border as he crossed into Poland.

He said: "When I got to the border at Poland there were only 50 people there, so I thought 'oh maybe it isn't as bad as we see', but right now I'm next to no less than 1,000 people - children and women, young kids.

"When I saw that they were bombing civilians and there wasn't going to be any other military support, I knew I had to do something.

"If NATO was coming or the EU, or anyone else, I'd think 'oh they've got this' and I'd leave it - but there's no support other than individuals volunteering.

"I've heard of a few veterans on Reddit coming to Ukraine to fight, but don't know anyone personally who's heading out here.

Jericho Skye, 25, from Los Angeles prepares to cross the border to Ukraine in Dorohusk, Poland on March 7. (Photo by Adam Gray via SWNS)

"I met another US veteran on the flight out here coming to fight, so I wouldn't be surprised if I find other brothers from the US or UK militaries out here.''

Intending to join the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, Jericho says the process for volunteering was simple.

He explained: "I contacted the Ukrainian Embassy back home.

''They sent me an application asking for basic military experience, background and sent that in to volunteer for the International Foreign Legion.

"I'm kinda counting on people speaking English. Trying to learn the Ukrainian alphabet right now, but there's nothing really to reference - it's difficult.

"I watched the Russians start to position troops around the border and I just thought he wouldn't do anything - nobody wants a war.

"I told my friend one night I thought Putin was more intelligent than that really, by the time I got home my friend's mum said Russia had just invaded.

"On day two I totally understood nobody was coming to their support, it was just them - their little military and civilians.

"Nobody else wants to get involved, and I get that, but it's just their civilians with no training holding back one of the world superpowers.

"It's like looking out my window and seeing a kid being beaten up while everyone stands around them and says they want to help but can't.

"I don't mind if I get injured, I'll be there to help them - and these guys are holding their own, they're putting up some stiff resistance against some of the best fighters on earth.

"It'll be an honor to serve with these guys."

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