April Huggett: Came to Deliver Aid, Stayed to Defend Ukraine. Part 2

April Huggett left behind a peaceful life in Canada after the atrocities of Bucha compelled her to act. When she first arrived in Ukraine, she planned to deliver humanitarian aid and return home after just 18 days. But witnessing Russia's attacks on civilians, losing close friends, and realizing that Donetsk Oblast had become her home changed everything.

Today, she serves as a combat medic with the Alcatraz Battalion of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar." In Part 2 of our conversation, April explains how she transitioned from helping civilians as a volunteer to protecting them in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Volunteering Was No Longer Enough

“It was a long time before I joined the military.

I was still doing humanitarian work in 2024. I was in Siversk, which isn't far from Kramatorsk. I started in January 2024. By then, the city was already without electricity, and I was delivering water. Despite everything, the city was still standing, and quite a few people remained there.

Over the course of roughly eight months, I watched in real time what the Russians were doing to the civilian population. There wasn't much military presence in these areas, and every day I would come back to find that someone I knew had been killed.

In April 2024, I lost a close friend who coordinated aid in the city. She was the person directing our evacuation efforts, telling us which animals needed rescuing, what supplies people required, what medications were needed — everything. Losing her broke me.

I kept going. I stopped delivering water and continued evacuating both people and animals until about August, but eventually I became exhausted.

When I first came to Ukraine, I was the director of a foundation. I came here to help the Ukrainian people. But I think that when you live somewhere long enough, this oblast becomes your home, and these people become your people. It doesn't matter that you weren't born here.

I know every road from Lyman to Zarichne to Siversk. I know all the villages, the churches that almost nobody has seen, and every back road around Kramatorsk.

I'd spent so much time working here that I was watching my friends — my extended family — die, and there was nothing I could do. Delivering food packages and organizing evacuations felt like a never-ending cycle.”

Choosing to Serve

“The work would never end. But I thought that if I stood alongside the military and focused all my efforts there, maybe I could actually make a difference. Maybe I could help save some of my people.

After everything I had seen in Siversk, I knew by the summer of 2024 that the Russians were pushing closer. I could already see what was coming, and I wanted to help defend the places I had come to love.

This is my home.

In 2024, through my foundation, I had been helping anyone who called. I worked with every brigade that needed assistance. But eventually I decided to focus my efforts on the frontline.

I chose to support units operating in parts of Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts, including the 3rd Operational Brigade "Spartan" and the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar."

When I made the decision in August 2024 to join the military, I already had a good friend in the 93rd Brigade — a man I had been helping for quite some time. His name is Validol, and today he is my battalion commander.

I told him how I felt. I completely broke down.

I said, "I'm tired of watching my friends die. I can't do this anymore. I definitely can't go home."

You become exhausted by this constant struggle to save people. As a civilian, it's incredibly difficult because you don't have a weapon or a way to protect them. You're only bringing them enough support to survive another day.

But simply surviving isn't enough.”

Joining the 93rd Brigade

“Validol offered me a position.

At first, I thought he was joking.

But he said, "No. If you complete medical training, I'll help you get a contract."

The Spartan Brigade also offered me an excellent position.

I'll be honest — I ended up flipping a coin.

It actually landed on “Spartan.”

But when I saw the result, I felt disappointed.

That's when I realized I couldn't go there. I needed to be with the 93rd Brigade.

Every single day, I'm grateful that I made that decision.”

Why I Became "Babtsya"

“Both of my parents struggled with addiction and spent periods of their lives in and out of prison.

Because of that, I think I bring skills that many people don't have. Canada has extensive resources for addiction treatment, mental health, and healthcare, and I think we're quite advanced in those areas.

It helps me work with my soldiers in a more compassionate and understanding way.

They call me "Babtsya," which means "Granny" in Ukrainian.

The nickname started as a joke because I was always saying, "I'm so tired. Oy, oy, oy." One of the sergeants laughed and said, "You're like a babtsya."

But over time I embraced the name.”

More Than a Combat Medic

“Every day I do far more than my contract requires.

When I first arrived, I organized medical records, created medical files for all of my soldiers, helped arrange HIV treatment, worked to get hepatitis C treatment, and advocated for them in every way I could.

Now I help with socks, underwear, food, medicine — anything the guys need. And that's before you even count my fundraising work.

My job never really ends.

I take the role of "Babtsya" seriously. I see myself as an extension of their family. At the end of the day, they need to know that no matter what's happening, someone is out there speaking on their behalf.

Yes, I'm a combat medic, and I do medic work. If one day I have enough energy — or enough help — to return to that role full time, I will.

But my background in business has turned out to be just as valuable for the battalion. It helps with fundraising, networking, building partnerships, and managing the logistics of delivering literal tons of aid and equipment to my soldiers every month.

I started in one position, but over time my role evolved to match my strengths.

I think that says a lot about the Ukrainian military. You may begin in one role, but if people recognize that you're especially good at something, they'll give you the opportunity to contribute where you can make the greatest impact.”

Learn more about the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar" on the official website: https://www.93ombr.army

Text: Dmytro Tolkachov

Video: Dmytro Tolkachov, Oleksandr Bekker

Editing: Oleksandr Bekker