Gook

Sapper Instructor

Matthew "Gook" Cha

Junior Sergeant, International Battalion of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov

BIOGRAPHY

"Gook" was born in Colorado, U.S. He got his Bachelor's in orchestral music production in 2017, but then enlisted in the US Army in 2018. He was an airborne sapper with the 127th Airborne Engineering Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and had combat deployments to the Middle East. Matthew's contract expired in 2021, making him eager to come to Ukraine since the very beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. He kept feeling racked with guilt, knowing that a large number of Ukrainians couldn't enjoy simple things he could in the U.S.
Eventually, he arrived in Ukraine in October 2023 and joined the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine. For almost a year and a half, he ran missions in the Serebrianskyi Forest. As much as "Gook" wanted to continue fighting, he also sought decent leadership, which led him to join Azov, starting as a sapper instructor in the Donetsk oblast.
"I'm not at all politically motivated. I'm morally driven. It didn't seem fair to me that a 25-year-old Ukrainian should fight in a war instead of figuring out his life. I have the drive to fight, I have experience, and I have a very specific knowledge base and skill set that would be useful in what is now the most mined country in the world," says "Gook".

FAQ

Donations

How will my donation be used?

We will use the donated funds to purchase protective equipment and vehicles for servicemen of Azov’s International Battalion. High-quality military equipment is expensive and takes time to procure. This essential equipment will keep our defenders safe on the battlefield.

Why is Azov’s International Battalion raising money?

Setting up a new combat battalion from scratch requires a great deal of resources. As a newly-established unit, the International Battalion needs to buy high-quality gear for its servicemen so they can carry out their combat missions. Donations are the fastest way to convert the support of our friends abroad into direct, tangible impact on the battlefield.

What donation options do I have to support the Azov International?

You can donate in the way that suits you best:
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● For an international bank transfer in US dollars, use a respective IBAN account number of our Ukrainian bank. You can copy all the details of the recipient account and paste them directly into your banking application.
● When making a card payment, you can choose between Stripe, Monobank (a Ukrainian payment service provider) or LiqPay (another Ukrainian payment system).Important: with Stripe, you can donate in several currencies: US dollar, Euro, British pound, Japanese yen or Polish złoty.
● For crypto-transfers, you can use the WhitePay option.Please note that some banking fees or card charges may apply to your donation, depending on your bank or payment service provider.

How can I be certain that my donation is secure?

We offer only the safest donation channels that preserve your confidentiality. Your donation will go to the accounts of AZOV.ONE, which is an officially registered legal entity in Ukraine that is authorized to raise funds on behalf of Azov. AZOV.ONE will register all donations, use these funds to procure supplies and then report on these supplies.

What should I do if I have a problem when donating?

You may experience a technical issue when making your donation. Please take a screenshot of the error that you receive from your bank application or from the payment processing platform, and then send it to us at info@azov.one, along with a brief description of the error. We will do our best to help you solve the problem as soon as possible.

Recruitment

How can I sign up to serve in Azov?

To submit your application, please follow these steps:

1. Complete the application form via WhatsApp bot, providing detailed information, including your military experience and specialization.
2. Wait for a call from the recruitment centre to clarify additional details.
3. Attend an in-person interview in Kyiv. Option for an online interview is also available.
4. Submit the required paperwork.
5. Your documents will be submitted for verification and background check.
6. After the verification is completed, you will be required to come to Kyiv for a medical exam.
7. You sign a contract with Azov.

How long does it take to sign the contract to serve in Azov?

If we don’t have any issues with your documents or your medical examination, it will likely take 2 to 6 weeks to sign the military contract.

What are the terms of service for foreign citizens in Azov?

The terms of service are exactly the same as those applicable to Ukrainian service members at Azov.

Can I transfer from a brigade in the Armed Forces of Ukraine to Azov?

Yes, it is possible. However, it may take an extensive period of time. Please contact one of our Recruitment Centers (see the Contacts section in the Main Menu) to discuss your options.

Is there a probation period for a new recruit?

Yes, the contract states that the first 2 months of service are the probation period.This way, both parties (the recruit and the military unit) will be able to figure out if the recruit is a good fit for our military unit.
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