Emma Schwenke

"I'm here to defend the motherland and my family. To enable the situation so our children and parents do not suffer and our motherland is free." - Armed Forces of Ukraine, 39, East Ukraine.

"This is my first experience fighting, but it's my time." - Armed Forces of Ukraine, 27, Northeast Ukraine.

"I'm here in order to become the best and to defeat the enemy so that our country can return to normal, to stop anymore children from dying." - Armed Forces of Ukraine soldier, 23, South Ukraine.

"I fight for the sake of my dear Ukraine and the liberation of my country. I want to stand together with my comrades and fight with them. I've dreamt of becoming a warrior since I was a child." - Armed Forces of Ukraine, 19, South Ukraine.

"I've dreamed of joining the army since I was a child. I want to avenge my friends who have died and I want to secure a future for my future children" - Armed Forces of Ukraine, 19, Central Ukraine.

"My father serves in the army and my brother and friends are already serving in the Ukraine Armed Forces. I want to fight with them." - 21, Central Ukraine.

"I'm here to fight for Ukraine and to defend my country." - Armed Forces of Ukraine, 18, Western Ukraine.

"I'm here because I want victory, peace, and for my child to live in a peaceful country." - Armed Forces of Ukraine, 23, West Ukraine.

"I want to protect myself, my country and my family because I can." - Armed Forces of Ukraine, 35, West Ukraine.

Operation Kudu is the name given to the ADF training mission in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which sees Australian soldiers working alongside partner nations as part of a UK led training program to build additional capacity for Ukraine to defend their homeland.

As a part of Op Kudu, throughout 2023 Army personnel deployed to the UK to provide training to AFU recruits in areas such as foundation warfighting skills including urban and trench warfare, combat first aid, explosive hazard awareness and marksmanship.

Each recruit was asked why they wanted to fight for their country and what motivated them to join the Ukraine Armed Forces, to show the dedication and love the Ukrainians have for their country, and their desire for a better future for not only themselves, but their families back home.

This project seeks to explore is the reality of many Ukrainians undergoing intense training and the impending reality of what life will be like on the frontline. It aims to highlight resilience and resignation of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and the commitment they have to win the war.