Why a Canadian comedian is heading to Ukraine to fight against Russia

Story Transcript

Anthony Walker has never fought in a war before, and he has no connection to Ukraine. But when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked for people around the world to join the fight against Russia, Walker heeded the call.

The 29-year-old comedian and father of three from Port Hope, Ont., left Toronto for Poland on Saturday. He has training as a paramedic, and he's currently putting those skills to use helping Ukrainian refugees fleeing across the border.

But he plans to meet up soon with other Canadian volunteer fighters and head to Kyiv to join the battle against Russian forces. 

Walker spoke to As It Happens host Carol Off about his decision. Here is part of their conversation.

What are you going to do when you get [to Ukraine]?

Right now, I'm acting just as a medic, but the further we get into Ukraine, the more of a combat role I'll take on. So eventually it'll just be straight-up combat medic. So, like, half shooting people and half healing people.

Do you have the supplies? Do you have weapons, flak jackets, things of that nature?

I came with my own body armour. I don't know if they're giving out body armour … but I know weapons won't be a problem.

Do you have training with firearms?

I have weapons experience. No combat experience. And I have medical training too.

But what's your connection to Ukraine? Why are you going there?

I have no connection to Ukraine. I am not Ukrainian, but I'm human. So, like, I feel like it's just the right thing to do.

Can you explain that a bit more? What went into your decision to go there and to go into a war zone?

When my wife and I were talking about it, what it came down to for me was we were looking at everything that was going on and I said, "If it was Canada, we'd want someone to help us."

There are many places like that, many people who would need the help of others. But it's a big step to decide you're going to drop everything and go to another country and take part in that. Was there something in particular? Was there something you saw or heard that made you feel that you had to go and take up arms for Ukraine?

I feel like if Russia were to take Ukraine that they wouldn't stop there. They'd try and keep going. And really, I mean, I could only see that evolving into a nuclear war. And I just don't believe that my family or anyone I know would survive World War III. So if I can stop that in any way in the slightest bit, then it makes sense to me.

You have experience as a medic. You know how to treat people. But you're going into a situation where you're going to fight. You could be killed, right?

Yeah, but I could also be killed in Toronto walking across the street.

It's less likely you'll die on the street than … in a war zone. So how does your family feel about this?

Obviously, my wife's not a fan of it. My oldest son, he kind of understands. But the other two don't. My grandmother was a mess. My wife was a mess. My dad was a mess. So, like, you know, no one's a fan of it, but everyone understands.

What do you think is going on in their minds?

If they were listening, I imagine they would just be thinking of how proud they are, because they just constantly keep telling me that.

On Twitter, I'm getting a lot of messages and stuff saying that, you know, I'm a hero for what I'm doing. And … I don't really like that because I'm just doing what is, I think, the right thing. And where are we as a world where doing the right thing makes someone a hero? Like, that should be the norm.

So you think there should be many more Canadians like you, with no connection to Ukraine, headed into that war zone?

This is rooted in my belief that this is to prevent a nuclear war. And if they were to believe that, you know, the fall of Ukraine would lead to eventual nuclear war, then I think it's a logical choice.

If I were to die saving one person, you know, that's a wash. If I die saving two people, that's a win, because two is greater than one. My life shouldn't be worth more than two other people just because it's my life.

But you do have three kids [aged two, five and seven]. What did you say in order to, I guess, even reassure them or to convince them this is a good idea for you?

I just explained what was going on. I showed them some of the videos over here. And you know, I said the bad guys are going in and they're doing this. 

They were actually totally fine when I got to the airport … and then my wife texted me later. She said they were bawling as soon as I walked into the airport.

If I'd seen that, I would have reacted in kind. So I don't know, maybe it was good for me that they waited. I'm not sure. 

But I hope that I make it home and that one day they'll understand why I went.

I have no illusions that this is like Call of Duty or anything stupid like that.- Anthony Walker, Canadian medic heading to Ukraine

Because you'll be armed, you could end up killing people. So how do you feel about that?

I've seen the videos of the captured Russian soldiers, and you know, most of these guys are kids, like 18, 19. 

So that, obviously, would suck having to kill someone like that. But if someone is pointing a weapon in my direction or the direction of any innocent person in Ukraine, they're getting shot. There's no two ways about it. They're a threat and they need to be taken care of. And as harsh as that sounds, it's just the reality of war

And you feel that you can do that?

Absolutely.

There [is] a lot of misinformation, a lot of things we don't know about what's going on in Kyiv right now. But are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into?

I have a fairly good idea. I mean, I have no illusions that this is like Call of Duty or anything stupid like that.

In fact, if anyone is thinking of coming — any, you know, young kids thinking they want to sign up for war — the reality is that it sucks. Most of the time you're going to be standing around cold, hungry and doing nothing. It's like 99 per cent waiting for something to happen. 

Everything about it sucks. So it's not a fun place to be.

Written by Sheena Goodyear. Interview produced by Chris Harbord. Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.