Northern Ontario man fights for Ukraine as drone operator, while his mother rallies support back home

It's been more than half a year since Kim Kazur's son Aidan announced his plans to volunteer in the Ukrainian army, fighting against the Russian invasion. 

"It was not a pleasant time for either of us. He only gave me about a week's warning that he was leaving, which, in hindsight, was smart, because if I had had three months to try to change his mind, I would have," Kim said on CBC's Morning North Monday. 

"I was angry and scared, but the one thing that he pulled out of me is a promise not to try to guilt trip him into staying or trying to change his mind. And I've stuck to that."

She often finds herself asking if her son is "ready to come home yet" but said she usually receives a response of, "not yet." 

Aidan Kazur, from Kirkland Lake, Ont., has been working as a drone operator on and off the front line in eastern Ukraine since last summer.

A mother's worry and pride

Aidan said it was difficult last summer to "keep a secret that you know is going to change your life," which would have a powerful effect on the people around him. 

"The day eventually arrived where everything was confirmed and ready to go, and I needed to tell her, which was a very difficult conversation, let me tell you," Aidan said. "But I mean, as my mother said, it worked, and we've moved forward together, and she's been very supportive of me, even if she is very encouraging that I find my way home sooner rather than later."

He's part of the the Third Separate Assault Brigade, a volunteer unit in the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in 2022 during the early days of the full-scale invasion. Aidan, who has Ukrainian heritage, joined the Canadian Army Reserve at 16 years old.

"I've been able to leverage my previous experiences in the Canadian Army," he said.

Aidan said during his seven years of service with the Canadian military, he was "ready to defend the country or serve for human rights around the world" but didn't get the opportunity.

"So there's a certain longing there where you train for a job and you never got to do it. Now I have the chance to do it," he said. 

Aidan grew up in the local Ukrainian community, where his church's priest would share stories of Ukrainian cities, hoping Aidan and his family would one day visit and reconnect with their ancestral roots.

"Instead of coming here to see my family history, I've come here to protect it and protect the people here who are trying to create their own national identity, which is a very powerful feeling for me as well," Aidan said.

He said his safety is always at the back of his mind, but he's with an experienced unit and he's never been "too fearful of the circumstances."

"I have been to the point where, you know, there's Russian artillery shooting or trying to, I guess, aim at us specifically, which is a little more personal than just drones," he said. 

Kim said when she hears about his work, her stomach turns and heart pounds. She said Aidan gives her only basic-level information and protects her from some of his experiences. That way, she "can't obsessively get on the internet and look for detailed information."

But Kim also said she's extremely proud of him.

"I raised him in the Ukrainian church, and you know, we've followed lots of Ukrainian traditions. He is a very kind and thoughtful man. He always has been very caring and careful with people. He values kindness over everything," Kim said. 

Fundraising for the front lines

Kim said her community has been rallying behind her son, sending her messages and posting on social media. She's also been fundraising, with all proceeds going directly to Aidan's unit for the purchase of defensive equipment.

"The main focus that we started with was looking to purchase night vision goggles, because there are not enough to go around, so soldiers have to share them. So if one set gets damaged, that could impact a lot of soldiers and their safety. So we're fundraising for that," she said, adding that the money won't be used for ammunition.

Kim said in the first few days of sharing her son's story, Kirkland Lake had raised more than $13,000. A local Facebook group, KL Ukrainian Community, is behind much of those efforts. The town is also home to refugee families from Ukraine who earlier fled the war.

Aidan said he plans on fighting for as long as Russia's war on Ukraine continues. He said he wants people to know that this is "not a situation that is lost." 

"The first opening line of the Ukrainian anthem is, 'Ukraine has not yet perished.' And so I want to emphasize that and say, do not count this out," he said.

"It's absolutely a winnable scenario, but we need help to do it."