re: #34 William Barnett-Lewis

What up?

Saw this article and part of it seemed to be something you might be interested in:

Ukraine war pulls in foreign fighters

Spain

For two Spanish leftists, the conflict in east Ukraine represents a chance to repay what they see as a historic favour.
Angel Davilla-Rivas (C) and Rafa Munoz Perez (R) in Donetsk, 7 August Angel Davilla-Rivas (C) and Rafa Munoz Perez (R) in Donetsk

Angel Davilla-Rivas told Reuters news agency he had come with his comrade Rafa Munoz Perez to fight for the rebels in recognition of the Soviet Union’s support for the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War.

Mr Munoz, 27, is a former social worker from Madrid who has been a member of the youth wing of the United Left political movement since 2010, Spain’s El Pais newspaper said in an article. His friend, 22, is from Murcia and belongs to the youth wing of a branch of the Spanish Communist Party, the paper added.

Mr Davilla-Rivas showed off tattoos of Soviet leaders Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin on his torso.

“I am the only son, and it hurts my mother and father and my family a lot that I am putting myself at risk. But… I can’t sleep in my bed knowing what’s going on here,” he told Reuters.

There are also reports of Spaniards fighting on the government side, according to an article in the Kyiv Post.

Image: _77262583_023432766-1.jpg
Rafa Munoz Perez, a Spaniard serving with the rebels in Donetsk, wears a Spanish Republic wristband

The rifle shown is a ‘Century’ series AK, chambered in 5.45mm.

It would seem to me however, that those seeking to remember the Republican side of the Spanish Civil War would fight for the Ukraine.