‘Ukraine is ruled by a corrupt gang’ – Dutch war volunteer says he fought for Ukraine, not the Ukrainian government

Folowing a wave of corruption scandals from the Zelensky government, one Dutch volunteer who was severely wounded in Ukraine slammed the country's leaders

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers fire an anti-tank missile system during a drill close to the frontline on the site of heavy battles with the Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)
By Remix News Staff
3 Min Read

A Dutch volunteer who fought in the war in Ukraine is sharing his experience with Dutch media and is sharply critical of the ruling Zelensky government.

“Ukraine is ruled by a corrupt gang. I was there for the citizens. They can do nothing about these abuses,” said Dutch war volunteer Hendrik.

Hendrik told the largest local daily in the Netherlands, De Telegraaf, what he experienced from the fron the Ukrainian-Russian war. He spoke, among other things, about how war is addictive.

For several months now, the volunteer has been back in the Netherlands, where he has returned to work and is rebuilding his life. He claims there is no point in being in Ukraine anymore. After his participation in the fight and his relationships with his colleagues, only memories remain.

Although he says returning to Ukraine is not an option at this time, he cautions, “Never say never.” He emphasizes that the most important thing is that the war does not spill over into Europe.

As he points out, if he returned, he would not do so out of sympathy for the Ukrainian government, which has been enveloped in corruption scandal after corruption scandal, including the “golden toilet” scandal, which continues to rock the nation.

During his time in Ukraine, he came into contact with Bandera supporters, Colombians, a commander who threatened him with a gun and wanted to send him to a trench despite suffering a serious wound, as well as with other foreigners and Ukrainians who became his dear friends.

In the Netherlands, Hendrik worked as a ship mechanic, and he says he enjoyed the job. As he reports, it was for his colleagues from the units in which he fought that he decided to return to Ukraine twice.

“When you are so deeply involved in this war, normal life is difficult. It’s a topic I’ve often talked about with other boys who have been through the same thing,” Hendrik said. “When you enter this machine, the rest of the world ceases to exist. Just this moment. And what happens when you come home: it’s nice to see your family again. Your body is here, but your mind is there,” he told De Telegraaf.

VIA:Do Rzeczy
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