Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sept 25 (AFP\/APP): A volunteer organisation run by ex-soldiers, Mozart says it wants to save lives in Ukraine by offering aid and military training — choosing its name as a “tongue in cheek” nod to the notorious Russian paramilitary group Wagner.<\/p>\n
The two might both be named for famous composers, but those offering their efforts in Mozart say that is where the similarities end.<\/p>\n
The group is staffed by volunteer army veterans giving humanitarian aid, medical evacuation and training Ukrainians in combat.<\/p>\n
“By no means do we conduct military operations like the Wagner group does,” says 52-year-old Steve, walkie-talkie in hand.<\/p>\n
Steve — who served in the Marines for 23 years — is at the wheel of a Jeep filled with food supplies from the NGO World Central Kitchen.<\/p>\n
The three vehicles in his convoy are all filled to the brim with food for a village in the Ukrainian-controlled part of the Donetsk region.<\/p>\n
After arriving, 260 parcels are piled up on the stage of the theatre in the village centre, to be later handed out to residents.<\/p>\n
“It doesn’t seem like a lot. But we’re a small organisation” he says.
\nMozart can reach places “where bigger organisations won’t go”, he says, because it is more agile.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sept 25 (AFP\/APP): A volunteer organisation run by ex-soldiers, Mozart says it wants to save lives in Ukraine by offering aid and military training — choosing its name as a “tongue in cheek” nod to the notorious Russian paramilitary group Wagner. The […]<\/p>\n
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