This Albertan signed as much as struggle in Ukraine. He was practically killed by pleasant fireplace

[ad_1] As David Rauser stood outdoors the doorway of a makeshift Russian bunker in japanese Ukraine’s embattled Donetsk area in November, the Alberta former firefighter-turned-soldier clutched his automated weapon. He peered into the shelter that was principally obscured by a big plastic tarp.

Inside, Russian voices reduce by way of the darkness, asking who was there. Along with his second-in-command simply behind him, Rauser yelled out in Russian, ordering these inside to place their fingers up and give up. When there was no response, he opened fireplace.

A video taken from a digital camera connected to his helmet recorded the following moments as gunfire erupted outdoors of the bunker, aimed proper at him.

However within the chaos, Rauser, 40, was struck by pleasant fireplace.

“One of many guys on my group — he was new to the group, and I do not know why, however he mistook me for a Russian," he mentioned. “He shot me as soon as within the head and as soon as within the arm.”

Rauser was shot on Nov. 10, 2025, in essentially the most intense mission of his 10 months serving in Ukraine with the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. He usually labored as part of a small unit composed of conscripts, skilled troopers and fellow overseas fighters. He spoke with CBC Information from Ternopil in western Ukraine.

Now out of the hospital, he's ready for paperwork earlier than returning, maybe solely quickly, to Canada.

It’s not clear what number of Canadian residents are combating for Ukraine, however greater than a dozen have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. (These deaths embrace each troopers and some paramedics.) Apart from Rauser, CBC is conscious of two Canadian residents who had been lately injured in fight, and are presently hospitalized in western Ukraine.

"Struggle is actually scary. It is terrifying," he mentioned. "It is somewhat little bit of a miracle I received shot within the head that I can sit right here. I am grateful for that."

<img loading="lazy" alt="A screenshot from a video recorded on Nov. 10, 2025 as David Rauser was about to enter a Russian bunker in the eastern Donetsk region. " srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/5a96c1de-9419-40d5-ba4e-c5efaf954ac0,1769550921584/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C720%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/5a96c1de-9419-40d5-ba4e-c5efaf954ac0,1769550921584/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C720%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/5a96c1de-9419-40d5-ba4e-c5efaf954ac0,1769550921584/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C720%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/5a96c1de-9419-40d5-ba4e-c5efaf954ac0,1769550921584/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C720%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.7777777777777777" data-cy="image-img"/> A screenshot from a video recorded on Nov. 10, 2025, as David Rauser was about to enter a Russian bunker within the japanese Donetsk area. (Submitted by David Rauser) 'Please do not die' Over the following a number of minutes after he was shot, the video recording reveals Rauser, blinded by the wound, practically stumble into the bunker earlier than a group member grabs him and begins first help. The American soldier who shot him could be heard apologizing, pleading for him to not die.

Days later, when he wakened strapped onto a hospital mattress in Kyiv, Rauser didn’t keep in mind a lot of his medical evacuation from the east. He was later informed he had been tied down to forestall motion. His head harm was extreme, and he was lacking a part of his cranium.

<img loading="lazy" alt="In this photo taken in the spring of 2025, David Rauser undergoes his one month of training. He described the course as very broad, but adequate. " srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/95fd708a-8d86-4ba3-b1dd-9db3179d9cc5,1769550939640/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1600%2C1200%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/95fd708a-8d86-4ba3-b1dd-9db3179d9cc5,1769550939640/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1600%2C1200%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/95fd708a-8d86-4ba3-b1dd-9db3179d9cc5,1769550939640/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1600%2C1200%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/95fd708a-8d86-4ba3-b1dd-9db3179d9cc5,1769550939640/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1600%2C1200%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333" data-cy="image-img"/> On this photograph taken in spring 2025, Rauser undergoes his one month of coaching. He described the course as very broad, however enough. (Submitted by David Rauser) He spent practically two months in hospital, first in Kyiv, then in two separate services in western Ukraine.

His group member later informed him {that a} bullet had struck him slightly below the rim of his helmet, leaving the gear fully intact however shattering a entrance part of his cranium.

On on his higher left shoulder is a big scar from the place the second bullet hit him.

He mentioned he feels 90 per cent recovered, although he does not have all his bodily power again.

"I am at all times going to be totally different after an harm like that," he mentioned. "However it's enough. I can operate."

Rising up in Ukraine and Russia Rauser had no army expertise when he determined to cross into Ukraine from Poland, in the beginning of final yr, however had a powerful connection to the area, together with language expertise. When he was a baby, his father did missionary work and the household spent three years residing in Russia after which one other six in Ukraine.

They lived for 4 years within the southern metropolis of Zaporizhzhia — the capital of one of many 4 areas to which Russia has laid declare all through its invasion — after which spent two years in Kyiv.

<img loading="lazy" alt="David Rauser, seen in this photo taken in Zaporizhzhia in the mid 1990s, spent six years living in Ukraine as a child. Before that, he spent three years living in Russia. and 3 living in Russia. " srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/55bc2258-7af4-4765-af0f-78a3b2c23b9d,1769550862620/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1374%2C957%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/55bc2258-7af4-4765-af0f-78a3b2c23b9d,1769550862620/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1374%2C957%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/55bc2258-7af4-4765-af0f-78a3b2c23b9d,1769550862620/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1374%2C957%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/55bc2258-7af4-4765-af0f-78a3b2c23b9d,1769550862620/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1374%2C957%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.4357366771159874" data-cy="image-img"/> Rauser, seen on this photograph taken in Zaporizhzhia within the mid-Nineties, spent six years residing in Ukraine as a baby. Earlier than that, he spent three years in Russia. (Submitted by David Rauser) The household returned to Canada when he was an adolescent, and in 2012 settled in Sherwood Park, Alta., a group on the japanese outskirts of Edmonton.

A decade later in 2022, as Rauser watched a convoy of Russian tanks transfer by way of Ukraine, he spent sleepless nights worrying in regards to the nation and his mates there.

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged overseas residents to take up arms towards Russia that yr, Rauser thought-about enlisting. However after pondering and praying about it, he determined it wasn’t the time.

By 2024, the scenario on the bottom in Ukraine had modified, and so had Rauser’s pondering.

“The truth that the conflict received more durable, I feel, and somewhat bit extra determined because it went on really elevated my motivation to go,” he mentioned. “I felt, 'OK, they want me now, so I ought to go.'”

Ukraine has been struggling all through the conflict to recruit sufficient folks to defend its entrance line, which exceeds 1,000 kilometres. On the finish of 2023, Ukrainian army commanders had been in search of one other half-million troopers. Movies emerged on-line of conscription officers drafting males from streets, malls and gymnasiums, in some instances taking them on to enlistment centres.

WATCH | David Rauser fought on Ukraine's entrance line: How a Canadian firefighter nearly died on Ukraine’s entrance line

A former Alberta firefighter who went to struggle in Ukraine tells CBC Information about his brush with loss of life after being shot outdoors a Russian bunker in Donetsk. David Rauser explains what led him into fight, and why he’s involved the conflict is being pushed from the headlines. From combating fires to the entrance line When Rauser arrived in Ukraine, he signed a contract for 3 years with the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade and was despatched for 4 weeks of coaching.

Regardless of his lack of army expertise, he figured his time combating forest fires in northern Alberta would serve him nicely. He knew learn a map, was snug in distant areas, and had been in lots of high-stress environments.

“I keep in mind the primary fireplace, my thoughts went to mush … simply full adrenaline,” he mentioned of his time as a firefighter. “That have was useful as I realized management that somewhat bit.”

<img loading="lazy" alt="In this photo taken near Sloviansk Ukraine on Nov. 8 2025, Rauser along with the rest of his team get set to head out on a mission. He was shot two days later. " srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/a97726f9-5d88-4d0d-a1fc-cd547d8e56b9,1769550908028/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C721%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/a97726f9-5d88-4d0d-a1fc-cd547d8e56b9,1769550908028/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C721%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/a97726f9-5d88-4d0d-a1fc-cd547d8e56b9,1769550908028/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C721%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/a97726f9-5d88-4d0d-a1fc-cd547d8e56b9,1769550908028/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C721%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.7753120665742026" data-cy="image-img"/> On this photograph taken close to Sloviansk, Ukraine, on Nov. 8, 2025, Rauser together with the remainder of his group are set to move out on a mission. He was shot two days later. (Submitted by David Rauser) Nonetheless, in Ukraine, the challenges had been on a wholly totally different degree. After about 4 weeks of coaching, which he described as very broad however enough, he was despatched out to the entrance line on his first mission. He described being despatched to a place that was basically “a tiny gap within the floor.

“I spent two weeks on the market and that was an actual life-changing expertise. We had drones assault our bunker. We had Russian troopers … transfer previous about two to 3 hundred metres from us.”

Not lengthy after, he moved into one other position, working as a information escorting troopers to and from their positions. The fixed menace of drones made it too harmful to journey in a automobile, so troopers would stroll a number of kilometres by way of the forest.

<img loading="lazy" alt="David Rauser, points to the section of his skull he is missing after being accidentally shot by an American fighting for Ukraine in November. " srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/8bafd341-6ae7-4805-9514-e19dccd9009f,1769550883901/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/8bafd341-6ae7-4805-9514-e19dccd9009f,1769550883901/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/8bafd341-6ae7-4805-9514-e19dccd9009f,1769550883901/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/8bafd341-6ae7-4805-9514-e19dccd9009f,1769550883901/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.7777777777777777" data-cy="image-img"/> Rauser factors on the part of his cranium he's lacking after being unintentionally shot by an American combating for Ukraine in November. (Anton Holovin/CBC Information) By early fall, Rauser mentioned some small items of Russian troopers had damaged by way of Ukraine’s defences close to Lyman, about 18 kilometres northeast of the town of Sloviansk.

The Russians arrange small positions behind Ukrainian traces, “inflicting loads of chaos," so his mission was to clear them out of the world, alongside a small group.

On one event, when he and his group had been arrange within the basement of a home, they heard footsteps strolling above them and the crunching of glass. The Russians had been shifting above them, apparently unaware of the Ukrainian troops sheltering under.

After a name on the radio, a Ukrainian drone unit hit the home and it caught on fireplace.

“The home burned down over our heads,” he mentioned. “It received actually heat, however we survived and we had been secure.”

A possible return Rauser has been provided a job to return again as a coach, which he's contemplating, however he's returning to Canada first for a go to.

He wants yet another surgical procedure to place a plate in his head and isn't certain through which nation he'll get it.

“I want I may say peace [in Ukraine] goes to occur tomorrow… I do not assume it'll,” Rauser mentioned.

“It relies upon quite a bit on different world leaders. Trump is all over.”

<img loading="lazy" alt="David Rauser spent nearly two months in the hospital after being shot in the arm and in the head during a friendly fire incident in eastern Ukraine." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/1cc9b998-83e4-4b44-bd6c-05f82bef206f,1769551013203/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C720%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/1cc9b998-83e4-4b44-bd6c-05f82bef206f,1769551013203/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C720%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/1cc9b998-83e4-4b44-bd6c-05f82bef206f,1769551013203/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C720%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/1cc9b998-83e4-4b44-bd6c-05f82bef206f,1769551013203/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C720%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.7777777777777777" data-cy="image-img"/> Rauser spent practically two months within the hospital after being shot within the arm and within the head throughout a pleasant fireplace incident in japanese Ukraine. (Anton Holovin/CBC) On Tuesday, requested about Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed as soon as once more that negotiations had been going nicely, however there nonetheless seems to be a big chasm between each side. Ukraine doesn’t wish to merely flip over extra land to Russia, which the Kremlin is demanding.

As Rauser sits and follows the information from western Ukraine, he hopes one thing optimistic will come out of all of the turbulence, together with a wake-up name to Europe to resume assist for Ukraine.