Doc – A South African Medic in Ukraine’s 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade. Pt. 2

Coming from South Africa, thousands of kilometres away from Ukraine, Doc had no previous military experience when he decided to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2025. A qualified doctor by profession, he now serves as a platoon medic in the 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade. On the battlefield, his medical knowledge has taken on a new meaning: helping wounded soldiers survive and make it home.

In the second part of our conversation, he talks about experiencing Russia's attacks on Kyiv as a civilian, the emotional challenges of caring for wounded soldiers, and his role in training infantrymen. He also reflects on the balance between military service and family life, why he wants to keep learning, and how he hopes to use his experience in the future.

Living Through the War as a Civilian

Before joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Doc spent several years living as a civilian in Kyiv, experiencing Russia's attacks on the city firsthand:

“I've been serving for almost a year now. Before that, from 2024 through to the end of 2025, I was a civilian. There were attacks, of course, but we got used to them quite quickly. Then things became more and more intense, sometimes without any breaks.”

This period coincided with the birth of his daughter. Balancing family life with the constant threat of attacks became increasingly challenging:

“You'd go outside to play, and then there would be an air raid alert. There would be gunfire in the middle of the day or ballistic missile attacks.”

Now just over two years old, his daughter has already developed a reaction to the sounds of war:

“Every time there's an alert or an explosion, she runs to me and jumps on me. She gets a little scared.”

As the attacks become more intense, their impact on everyday life becomes increasingly difficult to ignore:

“That's how you see the way war changes people and affects their lives. Things are getting more intense now than they were before.”

The Hardest Moments as a Platoon Medic

Doc serves as a platoon combat medic, a role that brings both medical responsibilities and the emotional pressure of looking after other soldiers.

One of the most difficult experiences for him happened when his unit was operating in two separate squads, each consisting of three soldiers. They were supposed to meet later that day. They got up early, checked their radios, and the other squad moved out, but things didn’t go as planned:

“They got into contact, and two guys were injured. They were quite far away from us, maybe 600 metres. All we could really do was sit and listen, because there were immediately a lot of drones flying around them: two Mavics and a whole lot of FPVs. You just had to sit and wait.”

Fortunately, the injured soldiers managed to get out safely. Although the experience was extremely challenging, it also brought a powerful sense of relief:

“It was really, really difficult, but at the same time, there was a great feeling knowing that they were going to be safe, that they were going to stay alive, and that you could get them out of there.”

Teaching is Protecting

Alongside his responsibilities as a platoon medic, the South African volunteer is involved in training other soldiers. He is currently attached to an infantry company, where he also works as an instructor.

Having previously taught English, Doc enjoys working with people and passing on knowledge. For him, it is also another way to contribute to the safety of others:

“I want to continue doing it because if I can do my job well, hopefully more people will be able to go home safely.”

He also sees continued service as an opportunity to develop his own skills. Medical knowledge and battlefield conditions are constantly changing, and he believes there is still a great deal to learn:

“Things change every day, and I don't want to suddenly leave and start teaching medicine privately or something like that, knowing that I still have so much to learn. There's always something new.

That's why I'd like to stay as long as possible and continue gaining knowledge.”

Family and Responsibility

Despite the difficulties, Doc loves military life and wants to remain in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for as long as possible. However, the prolonged separation from family remains one of its hardest aspects:

“I do enjoy military life, you could say. It's very interesting, with plenty of adrenaline and exciting moments. It's also quite difficult, though, especially because you're away from your family so much.”

Doc would naturally like to spend more time at home with his wife and family. Yet he is also aware that many other soldiers do not have the same opportunity to return home:

“I'm expecting another child, and obviously, I'd like to be home with my wife and family. At the same time, there are a lot of other guys here who don't get that opportunity. So maybe if I can stay here, they can have a chance to go home.”

Future

Looking further ahead, Doc sees several ways to use the experience and knowledge he has gained in Ukraine. The practical skills the volunteer has acquired will certainly come in handy:

“If I don't continue serving, or once the war is over – perhaps a few years afterwards – I'd definitely put the knowledge I've gained here to use.

I want to go into farming, so I'll need to know how to dig. And you definitely learn how to dig here!”

Learn more about the 60th Separate Mechanized "Inhulets" Brigade and join the brigade on its official website: https://60brigade.mil.gov.ua/

Text: Dmytro Tolkachov

Video, Photos: Dmytro Tolkachov, Oleksandr Bekker

Editing: Oleksandr Bekker