Christmas off, then straight back to war

Adam Ennis didn’t make it home to his family for Christmas, but he still considers himself luckier than his comrades.

They slept rough in the trenches on Ukraine’s front line while he enjoyed a rare day off.

The 35-year-old left his garage business to join the international legion last March, against government advice and with just basic training he gained from a cadet scheme at school.

Since then, he has seen action in at least two major fronts. He now says he is unlikely to return to Scotland until the war is over.

“I have no plans to come back home anytime soon,” Adam told BBC Scotland. “My heart is invested in this war effort like the brave boys around me.

“We owe it to each other, to our families who have had to deal with the heartbreak of our decision to be involved in this war, to finish this and free Ukraine once and for all.

“Ukraine fights for all of Europe – we must not forget this.”

“Coming here was the best decision of my life,” he said. “I have purpose here and have met so many good people.”

Adam, from Biggar in South Lanarkshire, had Christmas Day away from duty, but did not switch off for a minute.

He added: “I will miss my family and friends over this period but I am lucky to have good people around me. I will be thinking of all those not as fortunate.

“It doesn’t feel like Christmas to be honest. Mentally we have switched back to game time.”

On Boxing Day, Adam drove back to his unit’s area of operations and was back on duty the next morning.

His group is scheduled to be in operations until the end of January.

Although morale is “sky high” among the soldiers, he sees the daily struggle for ordinary Ukrainians.

“The civilians are in a bad way out here,” he said. “The bombardments on the cities are almost every day targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.

“They don’t have electricity for days at a time and they are relying on humanitarian aid for survival.”

It is those people he wants to help.

“Anyone that can help needs to help. There are plenty of charities sending aid over. Every small donation whether it’s food or clothes is vital.

“This is the hardest part for me about this war – what I have witnessed these animals do to the innocent from day one.”

Adam uses his Instagram page to highlight the cause, keep family updated and appeal to the public to help.

The nametag on Adam’s backpack reads “Braveheart”, which is how he is known to the other international fighters.

He has been hailed a hero and featured in a film about international soldiers putting their lives on the line for the people of Ukraine.

He said the situation had changed “dramatically” in the war since his last trip home in July.

“We now have momentum on our side,” he said.

“But although we have taken much ground back and will continue to do so, it is coming at a high cost.

“Many good men have sacrificed their lives for Ukraine. The casualties on our side, though they are far too high, are a lot fewer than the Russians.

“They will happily sacrifice 200 men to take a position that 20 of our men hold.”

Adam described three Russian lines in battle.

The first line is conscripts, who have been “mowed down in their hundreds”.

He added: “The second is the regular army and the third line is the Wagner private military group – who’s job is to shoot anyone who retreats from the first and second positions.”

He admitted to being proud of the Ukrainian people “who just want to be free and part of Europe”.

As he prepared to return to freezing conditions, Adam had a message for those he left behind in Scotland.

“I wish everyone back home a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

“Keep Ukraine in your thoughts and help if you can.

“Appreciate the situation that you are all in as it can all change in a heartbeat. Just ask Ukraine.”

INSIDE THE WAR: The surrender hotline for Russian soldiers

EXPLAINER: How much damage has Russia done to power supplies?

ANALYSIS: The slim prospects for peace talks

ON THE GROUND: Facing a harsh winter on the front line