Canadian Comedian Travels To Ukraine To Serve As Combat Medic

A comedian from Canada has travelled to Ukraine to serve as a combat medic.

Anthony Walker, from Toronto, is best known for his satirical videos, so on paper the 29-year-old may not seem like the sort of guy needed out on the frontline to fight the Russian invasion.

However, none other than Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy used to be comedian; now he's being hailed as a heroic wartime leader and is inspiring people like Anthony to come to his country's aid.

Furthermore, Anthony was trained as a paramedic, meaning he could play an invaluable role aiding military personnel and citizens.

He will be expecting to carry weapons and use them, though - something which he said he is prepared to do.

"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," Walker told CBC radio show As It Happens.

"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."

In so dramatically stepping out of his comfort zone, Walker has also left behind his wife and three kids - aged seven, five and two.

But the comic feels having a family gives him all the more reason to lend a hand to the Ukrainians.

He told The Daily Beast: "Having a wife and kids isn't a reason not to go. It's a reason to go. Because I'm doing this as much for them as I'm doing it for Ukraine and everyone there."

He continued: "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."

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.