(Montreal) Émile-Antoine Roy-Sirois, this Quebecer who died fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine, had chosen to go to the front to protect innocent women and children, according to a fighter who fought at his sides.
Posted at 6:27 p.m.
Mr. Roy-Sirois was an “intellectual who cared about the fate of humanity”, according to “Blackhawk”, a fighter who preferred only to reveal his code name during an interview on Instagram on Monday.
“He was kind and never meant to hurt anyone. He followed orders and was brave. »
Émile-Antoine Roy-Sirois died on July 18 after about four months of war in Ukraine, according to Blackhawk, an American who comes from Idaho. “He died a hero alongside his friends attempting to transport a wounded American named Luke, codenamed Skywalker,” Blackhawk said.
In a press release published Monday, the Congress of Ukrainian Canadians said it was saddened by the death of the Quebec fighter.
“The Ukrainian people and our community will remember Mr. Roy-Sirois for his selflessness and his dedication to the values of freedom and justice shared by Canada and Ukraine,” the Congress wrote.
Moreover, the leader of a team of foreign fighters who gathered in Ukraine explained in an interview that Mr. Roy-Sirois and three other volunteers were killed by a Russian tank shell near Siversk, in the east of Ukraine, trying to help their injured teammate.
The leader, who calls himself only “Angel”, underlined in an exchange on the Facebook Messenger application that he felt lucky to have had Mr. Roy-Sirois as a “fighting brother”.
“We were the only two Canadians who went to the front and stayed,” said Angel, who is from Saskatchewan.
“He had the opportunity to leave, but he stayed. We should all be proud to see the courage he had, and I was lucky to have him by my side. »
Both Angel and Blackhawk described Mr. Roy-Sirois as funny and approachable. The Quebecer’s code name was “Beaver”, or “Castor” in French.
“He told us there are a lot of beavers in Canada,” Blackhawk said.
Global Affairs Canada said it is aware of the death of a Canadian in Ukraine, but did not provide further details.