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A man from Schaffhausen fights for the Ukrainian army. That’s why he faces three years in prison in Switzerland.
Avi Motola, 47, is a sniper with the Ukrainian army. He is Swiss, comes from the canton of Schaffhausen. Until recently, he served in the contested territories to the east. The “Rundschau” met him during his leave from the front in Kyiv. “My basic motivation was always the same: I don’t want to pack small children in plastic bags anymore,” he says. “And if it’s just one less because of my work, it’s been worth it.”
Legend:
Avi Motola next to a Ukrainian Army tank.
SRF
When he is on duty as a sniper, hidden at the front, the weapon aimed, the surroundings in view, everything falls silent in his head: the impact of enemy missiles, the thoughts of his son – of his home. Then he is concentrated, sometimes for hours. “It only became apparent after the war that I have a talent for it.”
I don’t want to put small children in plastic bags anymore. And if it’s just one less because of my work, it’s worth it.
Motola is one of many volunteers who have traveled to Ukraine as foreign fighters. Over 20,000 volunteered in the first weeks of the war. How many there are now is unclear. A large part comes from areas of the former Soviet Union: Georgia, Lithuania, Estonia. But some also come from Western Europe or Israel.
Seven trials against Swiss in the Ukraine war
Unlike in many other countries, the Swiss are forbidden to serve in foreign armies. Violation is punishable by up to three years in prison. The military judiciary is currently conducting seven cases against Swiss people who are fighting in the Ukraine war, as confirmed to the “Rundschau”.
Avi Motola criticizes the law: “I think it shows a great deal of cowardice on the part of a state. Soldiers from Germany, France, Italy, the USA – all can return to their countries and they are thanked. Only I have to reckon with any kind of repression.”
Four year old son left behind
In the last years before the war he lived outside of Switzerland and started a family. Leaving his four-year-old son behind was the biggest sacrifice. “I ask myself the question every day: What the hell am I doing here? But if everyone who had something to lose didn’t fight, then it would be over a long time ago,” says Motola.
Shortly after the invasion began in February, he traveled to Ukraine with a foreign aid organization. He helped civilians flee. Then he went to Kyiv, actually only wanted to stay for a few days. That was when the atrocities of Bucha and Irpin came to light. He did not hesitate for long, joined the army.
Many think we come here to play war.
Motola serves in a unit of volunteer fighters. Operations on the Eastern Front, in the Russian-occupied areas. “A lot of people think that people like me come here to play war, to kill,” he says. “But what matters to me is the civilians I can save. Ukrainians, especially in the countryside, are very kind and down-to-earth people. Being able to free them from the Russians – those were very moving missions.”
He is employed by the Ukrainian army on a temporary basis. In January he wants to travel home to visit his son. A few days of family happiness – then he will probably return to the war.