After leaving his spouse and residential in Connecticut for sleepless nights and rocket hearth on Ukraine's frontlines, American James Vasquez says he is grateful for the help he is obtained.

Vasquez, in a video posted to Twitter Thursday, gave thanks for the prayers and generosity that he says has made it attainable for him to journey to Ukraine to battle alongside its navy in opposition to Russia's invasion. The house contractor and veteran is one among tens of hundreds of foreigners who've volunteered for Ukraine's Worldwide Legion of Territorial Protection.

Since arriving in Ukraine final month, Vasquez has documented his actions on his Twitter account that has amassed 275,000 followers. His tweets have described negotiating his method by way of Ukraine's border, shelling from Russian forces and different scenes from the frontlines.

"I need to thank everyone and inform you how a lot I respect all of your assist and your generosity and your effectively needs and your prayers and your donations," Vasquez, who has a salt-and-pepper goatee, stated in his video Thursday. "It is simply tremendous overwhelming not only for me however for everyone that I am right here with. So, thanks. Thanks."

Destruction Outside of Kyiv
Scores of destroyed vehicles stay on account of a shellfire on the destroyed bridge on April 7, 2022, in Irpin, Ukraine. The Russian retreat from cities close to Kyiv has revealed scores of civilian deaths and the complete extent of devastation from Russia's failed try and seize the Ukrainian capital. Anastasia Vlasova/Getty Pictures

Within the video, Vasquez stated he was packing and remobilizing for the jap entrance. He stated he had a number of days of downtime the place he might sleep in a mattress, and take a sizzling bathe "with towels and physique wash and all that enjoyable stuff."

A U.S. Military veteran, Vasquez stated he began his Twitter account, regardless of his unfamiliarity with the platform, to doc his journey after making the choice to battle in Ukraine after Russia launched its invasion on February 24.

Vasquez has since live-tweeted his expertise, responding to false experiences of his dying, exhibiting an image of a stray cat he befriended or displaying rifles and different navy hardware that is a part of his day-to-day existence.

"It is midnight right here however I am unable to sleep as a result of I am unable to wait to get within the s**t tomorrow," he stated in a March 17 tweet. "Each atrocity, each conflict crime, each harmless civilian being murdered on a day after day foundation will get everybody right here extra motivated to battle."

He is additionally used the account to offer a glimpse of day by day life behind the frontlines that features captured armored autos and Molotov cocktail provides, in addition to his remark on the massive variety of aged individuals unable to flee the battle and canine lacking limbs.

However his journey to Ukraine has come at a value. Tina Vasquez, his spouse, advised The Hour that she has relied on household, buddies and strangers for help. She stated individuals have donated cash to pay for journey bills whereas providing assist through the anxious time.

"It is in his DNA. He is a soldier," Tina Vasquez advised The Hour, describing her 47-year-old husband. "He did not need to watch it at residence. He requested me if he might go and I advised him, 'sure.'"

She stated her husband, a former U.S. Military employees sergeant, plans to spend at the least two months in Ukraine regardless of having no ties to the nation however a powerful perception in its sovereignty.

Newsweek was unable to achieve James Vasquez for remark.