In an anonymous warehouse somewhere in Eastern Norway, a 37-year-old Norwegian is packing military uniforms.
– I have never experienced anything like it. What we usually sell in two months we have sold in two days, says the man who calls himself “Mike”.
He does not want to stand out by name, or show his face.
– Foreign Warrior Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo
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His company manufactures and sells military combat equipment. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the progress has been enormous.
But even if the store is doing well, Mike would rather he was in a completely different place than in a warehouse in Norway.
– I was on the front north of Mosul for almost a year and a half, and participated in the fight against IS, he says.
Now Mike feels he has a lot to contribute in Ukraine, and is therefore considering traveling down to war-torn Ukraine.
Joined the Armed Forces
After several years in the Norwegian defense, Mike joined the Telemark Battalion.
He wanted to experience real war, and is open about being attracted to the thrill of being in battle.
– “Mike” has participated in wars outside Norway. NOTE! NOTE! NOTE! Photos to the case by FInn-Erik Robstad Photo: Private
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He has documented and published the battles against IS on his own Instagram account “Peshmerganor” where he has 165,000 followers.
– In recent days, I have been contacted by very many Norwegians who want to go to war, he says to TV 2.
The Armed Forces states that between 200 and 300 people have contacted and expressed a desire to contribute to the war in Ukraine.
– Foreign Warrior Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo
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Mike says he has never experienced similar interest before.
– Not even during the Iraq war. There were some who would contribute, he says.
– Do not travel down to fight
Most people who contact him do not get an answer. He does not want to be a person who recruits people for war.
– I do not want to contribute to anyone going down, they are also killed. People need to figure this out for themselves, and feel free to take a few rounds if this is something they really want.
When Mike is now considering going to Ukraine, it is not necessarily to fight at the front.
He wants to use his own experience and knowledge to help and train Ukrainian civilians.
– The situation down there can change quickly. If I end up in a local department that I have to train, I may have to participate in assignments with them the next day.
Mike says he has been shot at and shot at.
– Foreign Warrior Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo
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He does not hope it will be necessary if he travels to Ukraine.
– I do not travel down to war mainly. I just want to contribute in one way or another.
– Know it’s a risk
Mike has already told his roommate that he will go to Ukraine to take part in the war against the Russians. But it will be different this time.
As a Norwegian Kurd, Mike felt a sincere hatred of IS. He does not do that to the Russian soldiers.
– In Iraq, there was no problem to withdraw, because there was the enemy IS and I had no sympathy for them. They were evil.
But in Ukraine it can be different, Mike thinks.
– The enemy is not necessarily evil. We are talking about 17-18 year old conscript soldiers who do not know that they were sent out to war, they thought they were going to exercise.
While war may seem intimidating to most people, Mike is not afraid.
– I know that there is a risk in going down. I know I can be killed, maimed and captured. But during my stay in Iraq, it was very rare that I was scared.
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