Three Ukrainian soldiers train to clear a staircase in a building in the far east of the country. The instructor sits on the stairs and explains to the soldiers how to cover the room and the doorways.
In the window are three red roses by the portrait of three soldiers from the department, who were recently killed in Bahkmut and Donbas.
– May they rest in peace. They were real heroes, says parliamentary representative Peter Frølich, to TV 2.
The 35-year-old from Norway is on his second trip into Ukraine with equipment.
Equipment he hopes can reduce losses on the Ukrainian side, and increase the ability to repel the Russian attack.
Long car ride
Frølich and “Free Ukraine” have previously been across the border to Ukraine, in Lviv, to deliver equipment.
This time he takes the long and arduous drive from Norway, across Ukraine and closer to the front.
It is gradually a scruffy bunch who put thousands of kilometers in the car behind them. The flight alarm goes off in one set during the trip.
The group from “Free Ukraine” slips right into the informal atmosphere that is characteristic of the myriad of small and large voluntary organizations that coordinate deliveries down to the individual department on the battlefield.
The lawyer and senior representative still cannot refrain from commenting on his own appearance in meetings with local representatives.
– I’m sorry that we look like a bunch of vagrants, he says, but is interrupted by laughter.
THE MEETING: Peter Christian Frølich apologizes for his disheveled appearance. It is met with good-natured laughter in Ukraine Photo: Oleksandr Techynsky / TV 2
– They look like stylish Norwegians!
In the cargo, Frølich has five all-terrain vehicles, several large aggregates, 5,000 sets of super underwear and not least a dozen drones.
Small drones that can be used to find the enemy’s positions, but also larger ones.
The larger drones are being modified to be able to drop grenades on Russian soldiers.
– They have more lifting capacity, Sergei Salovativ explains to TV 2.
– That is why we are thinking of using them to drop bombs. Maybe we’ll hit on something good! A tank or an armored car, we really need these!
Back in Bergen
TV 2 meets Frølich at Bergenhus Fortress in his hometown of Bergen, a few days after his return from Ukraine. Although the weather is almost as sour as in Ukraine, he feels the contrast with peaceful Norway.
– Why do you travel as a parliamentary representative to deliver drones and equipment?
IN THE BASEMENT: The flight alarm goes off several times during the trip. A parking basement under a hotel can easily function as a room for meetings with local representatives. Photo: Oleksandr Techynsky / TV 2
– I believe a lot in the power of example. I’m not saying that everyone should get behind the wheel and travel to Ukraine, but someone has to.
Frølich has little left for those who advocate negotiations with Putin.
He believes it is our duty to help Ukraine as long as the country needs it, so that the country itself can end the war on its own terms.
– I am very provoked when I hear people in the West are going to sit and act as judges over what Ukraine should do and not do. They fight an existential battle as if against a tyrannical, criminal regime.
IN BERGEN: Storting representative Peter Frølich (R) at Bergenhus fortress, well at home after yet another trip to Ukraine Photo: Tor Henning Flaatten / TV 2
– Coming from very strong impressions and then coming back here… It takes some time to digest.
What has made the strongest impression on Frølich is the meeting with the Ukrainian soldiers:
– We know that many of those we have met now will never come back.
But they are real heroes who stand up for their country and for their future and for their democracy.
Frølich does not rule out more trips to Ukraine with equipment.
– In any case, I will ensure that the organization keeps the wheels going and delivers equipment. My involvement here has only just begun.
