Friends are reflecting on the life of Grigory ‘Greg’ Tashmistrenko as he was laid to rest on Friday. canadian volunteer doctor died in ukraine Defend your motherland while fighting against the Russian invaders.
“He was a true warrior. I mean, he was a knight in shining armour, like a European knight, you know? Oleh Diachok, a childhood friend, told Global News.
“And he always helped someone around him. He was [a] Really kind and open hearted person. And he wants everyone around him to be happy, smiling. And he did everything to bring a smile on everyone’s face.
Diachok and Tashmistrenko went to school together in Kyiv, Ukraine for a few years.
According to Diachok, Tashmistrenko lived between Canada and Ukraine during his childhood, and acquired Canadian citizenship in the ninth grade.
Canadian killed fighting Ukrainian army, government confirms
Russia warns West of ‘global catastrophe’ for arming Ukraine
Tsakhmistrenko lived in Saskatchewan for many years before moving to BC. With whom was he best known for playing rugby? Saskatoon Wild Oats Rugby Club and Prince Albert Whiskey Jack.
Diachok said he had dreams of becoming a military man.
Diachok said, “He wanted to join one of the special operations forces in the world, like the United States special operations or the Canadian special operations.”
“After 2014, when we had a conflict situation with Russia for the first time, Greg said that in case of a full-scale war like ours, he would certainly come here and do everything he could to defend his homeland. can, to protect the place where he was born,” Dychok said.
Adam Thiemann was in Ukraine and befriended Tskmistrenko when he visited in February.
,We met in the Georgian Foreign Legion and we were both helping prepare non-military personnel and others for the coming war, Thiemann told Global News.
“He was the embodiment of a light. Just a light, for humility, for patriotism, for love for others. His life was truly a testament to the fact that it doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you You’re worth something. And Greg made you feel that way,” Thiemann reflected.
Thiemann said that during the most chaotic and sad moments, it was Tashmistrenko’s encouragement that got him through it.
“In my four years of experience serving as an Army Ranger in the US Army, my two deployments to Afghanistan… nothing prepared me for this. And tactically, I knew that the worse our situation got, the worse it was,” Thiemann explained.
“[Greg]was like, ‘Don’t say that. Like everything’s going to be okay.’ And it was just funny because he was so positive and so patriotic,” he said.
A Canadian citizen has died in Ukraine, Global Affairs Canada confirms
Monterey Park shooting: Suspect dead after 10 killed at California dance club, police say
Several media reports said Tsekhmistrenko died on Sunday near the town of Bakhmut.
Global Affairs Canada says it is aware of the death of a Canadian citizen following reports that a young medical student fighting alongside Ukraine’s military has been killed in combat.
Due to privacy considerations, no further details can be disclosed, Global Affairs Canada said in an email to Global News.
Diachok wants Canadians to know that Tsekhmistrenko never advocated violence, but was fighting for peace.
“He didn’t have [the] Intent to kill someone or hate someone or fight to be involved in a fighting situation,” Dychok explained.
“Greg was fighting for freedom, peace and the happiness of every Ukrainian family.”
– With files from Global’s Heidi Lee and The Canadian Press
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.