--- title: "‘Call that a good day’ — An American is live-tweeting his part in the war in Ukraine" description: "A popular Twitter account from a man claiming to be a U.S. Army veteran offers a snapshot of the front lines in Russia's invasion of Ukraine" date: "2022-03-28" modified: "2022-03-28" authors: - name: "Max Hauptman" job_title: "Breaking News Reporter" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/max-hauptman/" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/american-james-vasquez-ukraine/" categories: - "Around the World" - "Europe" - "News" - "Russia" - "Ukraine" --- # ‘Call that a good day’ — An American is live-tweeting his part in the war in Ukraine ![Ukraine Volunteer photo]() *James Vasquez (third from right) with a group of Ukrainian soldiers in a photo posted March 25, 2022. (Image via Twitter)* In an age when almost everyone has a smartphone camera, and in a combat zone where an internet connection is [still]() readily available, it is inevitable: Live updates from the front lines of the Russian invasion of Ukraine delivered in real time. One such account offering updates is that of [James Vasquez](), a self-described U.S. Army veteran who traveled to Ukraine and volunteered to fight there. Task & Purpose was unable to confirm Vasquez’s service record with the Department of Defense. > [**Subscribe to Task & Purpose Today**]()**. Get the latest in military news, entertainment, and gear in your inbox daily.** “Alright. So far, we took out seven Russian tanks, after a long firefight we took control of the area," [says]() Vasquez in one dispatch. https://twitter.com/jmvasquez1974/status/1507233644796166145 Other videos show Vasquez and his squad after reportedly [retaking]() an occupied town, as well as some of the certifiable ancient equipment his unit uses, including [grenades]() that are well past retirement age. The posts offer a picture of the frontlines, from the [sleeping conditions](), to some downtime spent with an [improvised grill](), to the [immediate aftermath]() of battle. In just a few short weeks, Vasquez’s account has accumulated around 234,000 followers. https://twitter.com/jmvasquez1974/status/1507054421334757382 Vasquez, from Norwalk, Connecticut, announced his plan on the same day the invasion began, writing that, “[I am a U.S. Army veteran. I’ve made the decision to go to the Ukraine and fight along their army]().” After first traveling to Poland, he crossed the border into Ukraine on March 15, 2022, making his way east towards the front lines a few days later. https://twitter.com/jmvasquez1974/status/1506598187364147203 Earlier reporting had described Vasquez as a veteran of multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, something his own Twitter account has subsequently [denied](). https://twitter.com/jmvasquez1974/status/1507481299270848513 Since the start of the invasion, foreign volunteers have been [making their way]() to Ukraine to take up arms in the fight against Russia, often with mixed results. ​​“Some were professional soldiers and are still competent,” one [American volunteer]() told Task & Purpose of his comrades. “Others are drunks, people with the most marginal military experience, and people who really should not have come at all.” Others have entered Ukraine to volunteer as [chaplains](). https://twitter.com/jmvasquez1974/status/1507252750882590779 Applying to the Ukrainian embassy, volunteers reportedly make their way to the city of Lviv, in western Ukraine. There, they are sorted for selection and training based on prior experience. “We should only take experienced combat veterans — that is the lesson that we are learning,” a Ukrainian general [told]() Task & Purpose on condition of anonymity. “The others don’t know what they are getting themselves into – and when they find out, they want to go home. We need specialized skills – especially snipers.” Vasquez claims to be the only American volunteer in his unit. “I just want to make it clear I’m the only American I’ve seen here. I don’t want the Russian propaganda machine saying there is a battalion of Americans which I’ve already seen. Here alone on my own accord in a complete voluntary capacity,” he [wrote]() last week. ## What’s new on Task & Purpose - **After training together for years, Air Force pilots are watching Ukrainian friends** [**fight for their lives**]() - **An Army vet’s realization in Ukraine:** [**‘So horrible or heartbreaking that you can’t continue’**]() - **‘They own the long clock’ —** [**How the Russian military is starting to adapt**]() **in Ukraine** - [**‘We strike at night, when the Russians sleep’**]() **— How Ukraine is stalking Russian armor with drones** - [**The leg tuck is officially dead**]() **and other changes coming to the Army Combat Fitness Test** **Want to write for Task & Purpose?** [**Click here**]()**. Or check out the latest stories on** [**our homepage.**]() ## Author Max Hauptman is a former breaking news reporter at Task & Purpose. He previously worked at The Washington Post as a Military Veterans in Journalism Fellow, as well as covering local news in New England. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Instagram]()