Calvin Price, a 27-year-old Irishman, has described his experiences fighting in Ukraine after losing both his legs to a landmine, stating he would repeat his actions and has no regrets. Price, who was a business owner in Dublin with no prior combat experience before traveling to Ukraine in early 2023, sold his assets to join the fight against Russia.
In an interview, Price recounted how a news report detailing the experiences of women and children held captive by Russian forces motivated him to enlist. He arrived in Ukraine weeks after seeing the report, driven by a desire to help and a belief in his physical fitness.
Price joined the Ukrainian volunteer brigades, describing his initial experiences as surreal, involving living in tents on military bases with active missile threats. He noted that his dream of joining the military was previously thwarted by Ireland's tattoo policy, making his experience in Ukraine feel more fitting. His training was primarily on-the-job, progressing rapidly through assaults and missions.
He was promoted to sergeant and sustained his first significant injury nine months prior to the interview, a gunshot wound to the leg during a mission ambush. Despite being outnumbered and under heavy fire, Price managed to extract himself and his team over 20 kilometers while under drone pursuit, waiting two and a half days for safe evacuation. After a month in the hospital, he returned to training troops, as his injury prevented him from resuming front-line combat immediately.
His partner, Maria, also from Dublin, joined him in Ukraine for two months, staying near the front lines. Price's most severe injuries occurred at the end of the previous year during a four-and-a-half-month combat mission where his unit was encircled. While evacuating, he stepped on a landmine, resulting in the loss of most of his legs.
Despite his life-altering injuries, Price remains optimistic and determined. He is currently awaiting prosthetic limbs and is focused on recovery. The Ukrainian army covers his wages and hospital care, but specialized treatment and rehabilitation are costly, and he is seeking funds through a GoFundMe page. He expressed a desire to receive the best possible care to enable him to continue supporting Ukraine in other capacities, such as training soldiers.
Price described the heartbreaking conditions of civilians in towns defended by his unit, often elderly individuals with limited resources struggling to survive amidst destruction. He finds purpose in aiding these communities and receives gratitude from them.
He acknowledged the concern of his family in Dublin, particularly his mother, though his grandmother has been supportive of his decision. He hopes to have his prosthetics fitted before his family visits, not wanting them to see him in his current condition.
Price is committed to continuing his role as a soldier, stating there is still work to be done to help Ukraine.
