08/29/2025
“No armies in the world are prepared to fight what we fight here”.
This is Tuga, one of the few foreign fighters in the Azov Brigade. After serving in the Portuguese army for eight years, he left his home, cats, and bunnies to join the fight in Ukraine when the ‘big war’ broke out. Although Tuga had no friends in Ukraine before, he understood that the war wasn’t just against Ukraine — it was only a matter of time before the Russians could threaten his own home and all of Europe.
In this interview, Tuga shares his journey from Portugal to Ukraine, revealing why he chose to stand against Russian aggression and the challenges he faces as a volunteer fighter. He also discusses the vital support needed for Ukrainian soldiers and how everyone can contribute to making a difference.
Watch this interview to hear Tuga’s firsthand experiences and discover what keeps him fighting every day.
00:00 What is your callsign and what does it mean?
00:23 Tell us your story
03:57 Do you have friends in Ukraine?
08:18 Why did you decide to come to Ukraine?
09:49 What would you say about the Russian propaganda about Azov?
12:47 What would you say to Europeans about the war in Ukraine?
17:30 Do you do any sport outside of combat?
19:50 What does your family think about you being here for more than 2 years?
22:18 What was your first combat experience?
25:57 What kind of weapons does Ukraine need?
29:37 How much do they pay in Azov?
38:07 What is the most useful thing that money can buy to help Azov?
39:55 Do you have any gifts from civilians?
41:58 Ukrainian civilians are very friendly towards the military.
43:32 What do you think about donuts and borscht?
45:43 Tuga, what is your shoe size?
46:01 How did you overcome the language barrier?
48:37 What is your response to people saying we should stop supporting Ukraine?
51:31 What would you say to Putin if you were standing in front of him?
53:33 What is the main difference between Ukrainians and Russians?
58:27 What are you going to do when the war is over?
Source: AZOV
Very nice interview with a highly principled man.
Tuga I salute you!
I wish God would send a million more men like him for Ukraine.
In fact I wish that Azov and Atesh each had a million fighters.
It looks like some are sleeping in the building where the interview took place. Many parts of Ukraine in summer are plagued with mosquitoes at night and blackflies in the daytime.
The lads need tons of deet to keep the damn things off.
PS ; he says he earns less than the minimum wage in Portugal. That is an issue that needs urgently to be addressed.