‘Exemplary soldier’: Lithuanian man killed in Ukraine fought alongside South Americans
A Lithuanian volunteer soldier, Ignas Kailius, was killed in early May in southern Ukraine while serving in a unit predominantly composed of Brazilian and Colombian fighters.
Ignas Kailius, known by the nickname Iggy, died during a combat mission in southern Ukraine, fighting alongside other foreign nationals. According to his colleague, Brazilian volunteer soldier André Aguiar, Kailius was responsible for keeping their positions supplied and manned, as well as escorting prisoners who had surrendered. Aguiar described Kailius as an exemplary soldier, very strong and well-liked.
Kailius arrived in Ukraine in February. His motivation, according to Aguiar, was to try to stop this kind of invasion from spreading to other countries like Lithuania. While serving with South American volunteers, he learned some Portuguese. Aguiar noted that their unit was approximately 70 percent Brazilians and Colombians.
Since 2022, three Lithuanian nationals have been confirmed killed while fighting for Ukraine. Another died from non-combat-related causes, and one Lithuanian volunteer is missing, presumed dead. The exact number of Lithuanian volunteers is unclear, but at least a dozen have been injured since 2022.
Aguiar said that there are no social, racial, or political differences when you understand that what is being defended is the human being. "On the way back, you see the destruction. People and animals seem to recognise help in our uniforms; they come closer," he added. "The same thing happens at the frontline. When you see a fellow soldier approaching from a distance, once you get close, regardless of language, the conversation begins with a hug, a handshake, and gestures. Information is exchanged, or items are traded – water, food, cigarettes. In a short time, we already know a little about each other: our background, family, and motivations."
