An increasing number of American veterans are joining the Ukrainian war effort. (Photo: Victoria Pickering)

UPDATE: After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Marine veteran Giovanni Roman has safely returned to the United States for further medical treatment.

Per Stars and Stripes, 28-year-old California veteran Giovanni Roman, who was volunteering as a combat medic in Ukraine, has been severely injured by Russian Forces.

Roman, a Marine and Navy veteran, first joined the Ukrainian war effort in summer 2022 before returning to the United States. In December, Roman rejoined Ukrainian forces until early February, when his Humvee was allegedly struck by a Russian-held RPG. Roman suffered significant injuries, including losing his right eye as well as a traumatic brain injury. 

Per the report, Roman is currently receiving limited medical care somewhere in Ukraine. Russia’s consistent targeting of civilian infrastructure, particularly along the eastern front where most of the fighting has occurred over the past few months, has severely limited Ukraine and allied forces’ ability to offer medical care.

Roman is part of a growing number of American veterans and civilians who have joined the fight against Russia in combat or humanitarian roles. Veterans nonprofit VETRN estimates that hundreds of American veterans have traveled to Ukraine and Poland since the war began almost exactly one year ago. However, the exact numbers and roles of U.S. veterans volunteers are kept confidential by the Ukrainian government and military. 

It’s unclear if the United States keeps tabs on Americans traveling to Ukraine. Per U.S. policy, the U.S. State Department actively discourages Americans from joining Ukraine’s war effort as the United States is unable to offer assistance.

Author: Christian Southards

Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.