Speaking English at the frontline in Ukraine — U.S. veteran

A U.S. Marine Scout Sniper, Matthew Sampson, who served in Ukraine's International Legion for over two years, shared his experiences dealing with language barriers on the battlefield. 

Read more about insights shared by International Legion fighter exclusively on Novyny.LIVE.

How do international volunteers communicate with the Ukrainian military? 

Matthew Sampson noted that their unit often included members from 20 to 25 different nationalities across Europe, Africa, South America, and beyond. Alongside Ukrainians and international volunteers — many of whom are English-speaking — this diverse composition creates a unique dynamic in combat situations.

"I don’t really speak Ukrainian, I joke that I only know two languages: American and the language of freedom. Fortunately, in the Legion, half of the unit is Ukrainian, and the other half are foreigners. So English is the most common language among us," said Sampson.

The U.S. veteran highlighted the strong English proficiency among younger Ukrainians, emphasizing their connection to Western culture through music, films, and TV shows. This shared cultural understanding not only bridges communication gaps but also strengthens coordination and morale on the battlefield.

Language as a tactical advantage

He also pointed out a tactical advantage for when the Russians intercept radio transmissions, as the average Russian doesn't understand English. It's both a communication tool and a psychological advantage.

"So this is an advantage for us: when we use English in radio conversations, firstly they do not understand what we are talking about, and secondly they realise that there may be Americans among us," the U.S. Marine sniper added.

Recently, the Georgian Legion in Ukraine responded to rumours of withdrawing from Ukraine due to the ongoing protests in Georgia.

A U.S. Marine sniper, Matthew Sampson, stated that the war in Ukraine is fundamentally different from the war in the Middle East.