Casey Gadaleta, a resident of Queensland, plans to return to the front lines in Ukraine after his prosthetic left lower leg is fitted. The 38-year-old man stated, "I'm waiting to regain my ability to walk, and then I'll go back." He added that the role he can play will depend on how well his injuries heal, and he is determined to contribute in any way he can.
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04-03, 2025Mr. Gadaleta, from Caboolture, still hopes to return to the front lines despite losing a leg in February after stepping on a landmine. At the time, he had been serving in the intelligence and reconnaissance unit of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for eight months. The explosion tore apart his limb and left hand, leaving him severely wounded.
Mr. Gadaleta said, "I anticipated this – as a point man in such a dangerous war, injury is inevitable." His unit was in enemy territory at the time and under fire from Russian soldiers. Sheltering in a crater formed by the explosion, the Australian heard his medics shout that he had to use his training to stop the bleeding to save his own life. This was a critical moment that tested his resolve.
Mr. Gadaleta said, "I started to panic, thinking 'I'm going to die here,' but when I heard that sentence, I snapped out of it." He also stated, "You could say it's to test myself, but I think it's more about supporting a cause." He believes he was born to be a soldier. Since the Australian army could not provide him with the combat opportunities he wanted, he had planned to join the French Foreign Legion. Later, a friend serving in Ukraine encouraged him to join and sent him some military documents detailing the atrocities, and he changed his mind, feeling compelled to act.
Under Australia's foreign interference laws, it is illegal to enter a foreign country to engage in hostile activities unless serving in the armed forces of that country's government. Mr. Gadaleta said, "I always wanted to join the military, and at the time I had no attachments, no responsibilities, so I thought now is the time, while I still can." He added, "It takes a specific type of person to do this job. What if we were invaded? We would ask other countries for help," emphasizing the importance of international solidarity.
Mr. Gadaleta said that the hardest part was being separated from his comrades. "They're basically your family, and if you're going to die, you'll be with your brothers," he said. "It takes a while to adjust to that." Currently, Mr. Gadaleta is living with his brother in northern New South Wales, undergoing rehabilitation, and focusing on his recovery.
He stated that his family is proud of him but also worried, and urged him to see a psychologist to ensure he can cope and does not develop post-traumatic stress disorder. "I'll have some nightmares, dreaming about things that didn't happen when I was fighting, but I think that's the medication – I'm taking a lot of nerve painkillers," he said. "I'm not dwelling on negative thoughts, if I was, I wouldn't be in a hurry to go back. I think you'd be terrified then," showing his resilience and determination.
The Australian government's Smartraveller website advises Australians not to travel to Ukraine. The website notes that lives are at serious risk, foreigners have been killed and may be targeted, and there are large quantities of unexploded ordnance and landmines in conflict and post-conflict areas. "Our ability to provide consular assistance in Ukraine is severely limited," the website writes. "The Australian Embassy is currently unable to provide face-to-face consular or passport services," highlighting the dangers and limitations of support available in the region.
