At the front he is now to train new snipers as a commander
World’s deadliest sniper back in Ukraine
He is considered the best sniper in the world. After his first deployment on the Ukrainian front, he left the country for a while. Now he is back with a new task.
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Sniper Vali on his first mission in Ukraine.
He is one of the heroes in Ukraine in the war against Russia: the best sniper in the world, nicknamed Vali (40). The Canadian became known for a shot that killed an IS terrorist from an incredible 3.5 kilometers away – a world record.
In early March this year, he traveled to Ukraine to support the country against Russia. After almost two months and several assignments, he returned to Canada to his wife and son. Now the sniper legend is going back to Ukraine – with a new task.
From fighter to commander
“This time I will train and command a company of snipers,” he says to “Bild”. «Last time I was in Ukraine to help defend the country. Now I’m hoping to find a role on offense.” Areas like Bucha or Irpin, where he and his fellow soldiers narrowly escaped death, are now liberated. “It’s a really good feeling!”
In addition to his accuracy, Wali has gained further experience in the war and can thus analyze the war from a bird’s eye view. “Ukraine has enough soldiers, but many are very inexperienced – and they need leaders with war experience.”
“I want to make many Walis out of one Wali!”
It is precisely this gap that the Canadian would like to close: He should take on a leadership role within a brigade. “The main task of this military unit should be to break through the front lines – and embedded in this brigade is a sniper company, around 150 people, which I will then command!” His focus is on training: “I want to make many Walis out of one Wali!”
Such a promotion from fighter to commander is extremely rare for a foreign fighter. “They trust me, are so grateful that I’m helping – this time in a commanding position!” He says to “Bild”.
He hopes that the war will end soon
Nevertheless, he warns against underestimating the Russian armed forces. Regarding Putin’s threats of nuclear war, he says: “Unfortunately, we have to take this very seriously. This could be Putin’s last card to play.”
He also believes that Russians often lack the will to fight. The partial mobilization ordered by Putin will not make a positive contribution to this.
But now Wali is waiting for his deployment order. Nobody knows exactly when he has to move in. “It’s typical army, they tell you two months and then it starts the next morning!” says the sniper. Then he has to say goodbye to his family. That is the most difficult thing, says the family man. “Before the Ukraine mission, I was always in the war without a wife and son, that was a lot easier…” (hei)