Why there’s a bit of all of us that wants to go and fight in Ukraine - opinion piece for the Evening Standard
I have to do my part, whatever that may be,” a 22-year-old lad from Hampshire declared, en route to Ukraine. Another Brit bound for Kyiv said, “it’s very black and white - someone has to stand up”.
Doing your part, standing up, explicitly being unsure – as both starkly are – about whether you’ll ever be coming back: it feels breathtakingly brave and insane in equal measure. The height of foolhardy fatalism.
And yet, there’s a part of me that not only admires what these guys are doing – but also wants to head out there with them. To join the fight.
This doesn’t come from suppressed militaristic fantasies. I’ve made enough documentaries about veterans to see the lingering horrors of war. When at Newsnight years ago, I politely declined being sent to Iraq – knowing I’d get PTSD before I even made it out of arrivals at Saddam International. I’m more yoga than UFC…. (continues)