A post about me posting about Ukraine

- Norwegian soldiers -

Hello, Imgur.

I'm an Imgurian who posts daily military reports from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, that some here are familiar with.
Sometimes I post other news from the same country; in some way or another related to the ongoing war.

It seems that some find it really strange that I -not Ukrainian but Norwegian- post about this at all and especially that I post only about this: maybe I'm a bot?
Others claim that I'm a propagandist, that they know whom I "work for", that I "get paid to do this", and others again are more like "why do you bother?"
I will try to explain why.

Imgur is a relatively new site for me; I've spent years on Norwegian-language discussion forums and comment sections, and was used to writing extensive texts.
Last year I wrote several articles about Russia and its invasion of Ukraine, to try and phrase into words how I see this terrible war.
At times I "took some time off" and ended up on Imgur looking for feelgood memes and videos.

Everything related to Ukraine was a hot topic a year ago, so there were many Ukraine-related posts here; several from Ukrainians themselves.
I wanted to upvote, favorite and write a few words for support, so I got my account here on the 4th of May - or May the 4th, as you Americans say.
Yes, I know what day that is, and no, I didn't know anything about Cake Day. Oh well.

During this year, a lot has happened with what made me stay here to begin with:
the Ukraine posts became fewer and fewer, and those that were still here didn't get much attention.
I got to know one Ukrainian-born Imgurian -Andriy- who under the username RunningPoohinator kept on posting day after day, week after week, month after month; despite not always getting so much positive response; despite getting attacked, ridiculed and threatened by trolls and haters.

He really worked hard with his posts and everything else he had to do; he was hurting when seeing what his people and native country are going through.
We became friends, and he encouraged me to make my own posts.
Often he would help me or vice versa: we called it "teamwork, yay!"
At times things could be exhausting, other times real fun.
I'll never forget that day in November when the city of Kherson got liberated, that was great.

But then, late in the evening on the 15th of April a message came, telling he had been killed in a Russian attack in Ukraine.
It was a shock. Still is.
I struggle to put into words how I actually feel about it, so I keep on posting about Ukraine instead, and light candles every evening.
I want to honour the person I called friend, a person who did so much and gave so much out of real love for his people.
One who more than anything wanted peace and a normal life for Ukraine.

"But why do you bother so much about Ukraine?" some wonder.
I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but I'll never forget another shock:
Russia invading Ukraine and by that starting a full-scale war not so far away from my own country.
Russia, this enormous thing, that has always been a cause of unease for people in the Nordics even after the so-called fall of the Soviet Union; that has been waging hybrid wars against its neighbours for years; that has secretly attacked and destroyed infrastructure; that lately has resorted to outright threats.
And as we all know: others are so much worse off, and that hits deep.

I'm old enough to remember something called the Cold War; the cautious optimism of the 90s; the pessimism when seeing this former KGB officer becoming President of the Russian Federation; the stubborn wishful thinking of too many, hoping for the best.
But again Russia wages war.

Living in a rather small country with a population that's not exactly numerous, Norwegians know well how important it is with connections, co-operation and helping each other when times are hard.
Once, we needed that help ourselves; so we feel obliged to give back what we have received, by helping others.

It's exciting to see the Nordics coming even more together in this, also the Baltics and other countries of Northern and other parts of Europe, especially the Eastern:
this really concerns us all.
This war may seem far away for Americans and others, but for us it's close.

Tomorrow is the 17th of May: Norway's Constitution Day and National Holiday.
So allow me to be blatantly patriotic here, and -even if military parades are not tradition on the 17th- post a story about the Norwegian National Guard and some of their work in helping Ukraine, and how they feel about doing it.

To Ukrainians everywhere: Слава Україні!
To Norwegians everywhere: Ha en riktig god 17. mai!

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- Ukrainian soldiers on military training in Norway, spring 2023 -

Since 2022, Norway has been training soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The training takes place on several locations, both as a part of joint efforts together with other NATO countries - like the British-led Operation Interflex - and as a part of Norway's own military support for Ukraine.

Several courses are being conducted by Norwegian instructors on locations in the UK, like this training ground in Northern England where instructors from Norway's Armed Forces and National Guard have been training Ukrainian soldiers since autumn 2022.

- Ukrainian soldier in England, winter 2023 -

Some of the Ukrainians have been at the front in Ukraine, while others have less experience.
The youngest is 19 years old, but the majority are grown men.
Their professional backgrounds range from craftsmen to academics.

Most of the Norwegian instructors come from Norway's National Guard and have experience from the Armed Forces, like "Morten":

"It was me wanting to help that brought me to this training mission.
I just couldn't sit still back home in Norway when I knew that my knowledge and competence could be of help to others.
Yes, the days are long and you get really tired sometimes, but the significance of our contribution of course makes everything worth it.
I've had experiences I'll never forget."

- Ukrainian soldiers and Norwegian instructor in England, winter 2023 -

The wish to help others is something all the instructors mention as their motivation to participate in this training mission - it's not about adventure, and not at all about money.
Everyone is left with experiences and impressions they'll never forget, and a feeling of having contributed to peace and freedom in Europe.

Platoon leader "Alex", one of the senior instructors, tells:

"It's very rewarding and interesting, working with Ukrainian personnel.
What surprised me a little, is that Ukrainians are very much like us Norwegians regarding our mentality: lots of humour and "good-natured bull-sh**ting"(1).
And they are of course very motivated to learn.
We really feel the seriousness about this mission, and it's very emotional when we send them off.
When the first group finished and their bus left the training grounds for the last time, all the Norwegian instructors stood on parade, saluting the Ukrainians.
I'll admit I really felt that.
But to contribute in creating freedom in a land that's under attack...
I just can't imagine anything more important.
You're not here for your own sake, but to make a difference."

- Ukrainian soldiers meeting Norway's Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram, in Norway, spring 2023 -

In April 2023, 100 Ukrainian soldiers arrived in Norways middle district Trøndelag, to be trained in field hygiene and sanitation, sniping, and team leadership, as part of Operation Gungne(2).

They have been selected because of their motivation and efforts, and come straight from the front in Ukraine.

- Ukrainian soldiers at training grounds in Norway, spring 2023 -

One of the instructors, Colonel Junge, tells:

"We reckon they'll be tired and hungry when they arrive.
We'll make sure to send them back tired, full, and even more motivated and skilled in defending their country."

After finishing training they'll leave for Ukraine, and the next group will arrive in Norway.
These training courses will continue for the rest of 2023, and Norway's National Guard is prepared to continue in 2024.

- Ukrainian soldier meeting Norway's Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram (right), in Norway, spring 2023 -

Together with the Acting Chief of the Norwegian National Guard, Morten Eggen,
the Norwegian Minister of Defence attended the training of more than 100 Ukrainian servicemen at one of the training grounds in Norway:

"It makes a strong impression on me to meet some of those who will soon go to war to defend their Homeland and their values against the Russian invasion.
The war feels close when we meet soldiers who come from combat, train here and then go back to the war.
It's a powerful reminder that freedom doesn't come by itself.
We have supported Ukraine with both equipment and training, and we will continue to support them as long as necessary," emphasized the Minister after the meeting.

- Ukrainian soldiers during training in field sanitation, Norway, spring 2023 -

"This is important not only for them, but also for us.
That's why I'm glad that we can make such a contribution by training soldiers," adds Norway's Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram.

The participants of the visit saw how Ukrainian servicemen practiced combat operations and providing first aid on the battlefield, under the guidance of Norwegian instructors of the Norwegian National Guard.

- Ukrainian soldier on training grounds in Norway, spring 2023 -

The Armed Forces of Norway plan to train about 3,200 Ukrainian soldiers in 2023, both in Norway and abroad.

The Minister of Defence points out:
"It is natural for Norway to contribute to this support.
As a small country, it is important to us that interstate conflicts are resolved peacefully.
Stone for stone, we have contributed to building security in Europe since 1945.
It has given us the longest period of peace and development in our part of the world, until Russia put a brutal stop to this by its invasion of Ukraine."

The kitchen has taken a look at Ukrainian specialties, and combat environments such as trenches and support points have been made.
"We will not only train these soldiers, we will also take good care of them and show them good Trønder(3) hospitality," concludes Colonel Junge.

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Some explanations:

(1) - "Good-natured bull-shitting": my attempt at translating a specific Norwegian dialect word and phenomenon, which is an informal way of entertaining and having fun by telling all kinds of "tall tales", (dirty) jokes, wild exaggerations and pure nonsense; originality is a big plus. The best "performers" become local celebrities.
Very common humour among people from Norway's northern districts; not always understood (or appreciated) by other Norwegians.
(2) - Gungne is the name of the Norse god Odin's spear.
It hits everything it's aimed at and always returns to his hand.
(3) - Trønder: a person from Trøndelag, Norway's middle district.

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Source photos and information, the Armed Forces of Norway: https://www.forsvaret.no/

Edit: Thank you so much for votes and feedback!