Millies war hero joins fight to help desperate Ukraine refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin’s bombs

A MILLIES war hero who suffered catastrophic injuries in Afghanistan joined the Ukraine fight yesterday — as part of a huge convoy of hope.

Inspirational ex-rifleman Craig Monaghan, 31, walked through “The Gates of Hell” into no-man’s land to help desperate refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin’s bombs.

He was among thousands who drove through the night from all corners of Europe in cars, trucks, vans, minibuses and lorries to help Ukraine in its hour of need.

Extraordinary drone footage showed a massive queue of humanitarian aid at the Korczowa border on the easternmost tip of the Polish E40 motorway.

As refugees battled to get out of Ukraine, Craig and others like him were fighting to get in.

Craig was honoured at The Sun’s Military Awards in 2020 — receiving the Overcoming Adversity gong after suffering life-changing injuries in Afghanistan.

A series of blasts left him with a traumatic brain injury, PTSD and three-quarters of his hearing gone. But he rebuilt his life through rugby and went on to compete in Prince Harry’s Invictus Games.

He is now part of a reconnaissance mission to deliver hundreds of trauma kits.

Craig, who served for eight years in 2 Rifles before he was medically discharged in 2013, told The Sun: “In an Afghan context, things were changing every other day, we were losing ground and then gaining ground.

“Here, it’s changing hourly and we’ve come out as an advance party to get a look on the ground and understand what needs to be done.

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“We understand the risks of crossing through the Gates of Hell but we’re an experienced bunch of blokes. I got wounded in Afghanistan and I would never even dream of putting myself in a situation where I might get blown up again.

“But I rebuilt my life with help from others and at this moment in time Ukraine needs us to step up and do the same.

“There are a million ways to help. Some people want to chase bullets and it never ends well — but we can achieve so much more by identifying key supply routes for medical and military equipment.”

Last night, Craig, of Wythenshawe, Gtr Manchester, was on his way to Lviv.

Virgin Radio DJ Chris Evans — who presented him with his Millie — said he was “in awe” of him.

Craig said: “My wife understands why I’m here. She’s fine but she naturally worries.

We understand the risks of crossing through the Gates of Hell but we’re an experienced bunch of blokes. I got wounded in Afghanistan and I would never even dream of putting myself in a situation where I might get blown up again.

Craig Monaghan

“As military men we were trained for situations like this and we all feel a moral duty to act.”

His Spearhead Foundation has so far amassed 350 trauma kits he intends to deliver to the frontline. He was joined by pal Darren Roberts, 50, who served in the RAF Regiment for nine years in Northern Ireland and Bosnia.

At Korczowa, volunteers from Britain, Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Spain, Latvia, Austria, Poland and Switzerland wait to deliver their precious cargo.

They will make their drop in the coming hours and then fill their vehicles with refugees before returning back across the border.

Selfless Igor Wisniewski, 25, who joined the queue after a mammoth drive from Paris, said: “This is our Dunkirk. Instead of little ships we’re doing it by road, delivering aid and helping to evacuate refugees. We’re all here united by one common goal — and by one enemy.”

The volunteers’ vast column of traffic stretches for as far as the eye can see and grows longer by the minute. Posters stuck to the side of vans with masking tape bear the gold and blue of the Ukrainian flag and the words: “Pomoc Ukraina — Help Ukraine”.

British pub landlord Tom Littledyke has already done one run here. He drove 1,300 miles via five countries over 28 hours in a battered old school bus with 120,000 miles on the clock.

Tom, 31, said: “I couldn’t sit by and do nothing. I’ve had people ask me if it is worth it for just a few blankets? They’ve questioned how much good it will do.

“But this is about more than just blankets — it’s my way of telling Ukraine that they are not alone, that the world has not abandoned them. This is about humanity — the worst and very best of it.”

This is our Dunkirk. Instead of little ships we’re doing it by road, delivering aid and helping to evacuate refugees. We’re all here united by one common goal — and by one enemy.

Igor Wisniewski, 25

London-based British-Ukrainian Anton Vybornyi, 36, has spent thousands buying military equipment that is being transported to the frontline.

His latest shipment — of flak jackets, helmets, fatigues and sleeping bags — was delivered across the border on Saturday.

He showed us a video of a Ukrainian soldier on the frontline telling the world: “Thank you — with the help of others we will defeat the enemy.”

Fernanda Gesellensetter, 22, drove overnight from Munich with medical equipment, including respirators and insulin. She said: “It took us about 18 hours to get here.

“Most of our stuff will go to Kyiv — we’ll drop it across the border and then bring refugees back with us.

“We saw what was happening and we didn’t want to sit around.

“We have access to material that we think is super useful and will go further than clothes. It’s crazy to see how Europe has pulled together.”

Pole Daniel Turek was among the brave volunteers, with even a Polish scout group helping to transport supplies. One aid worker from Poland says: “People are really well organised. There are many deliveries from Germany, from Belgium, Austria, Netherlands and Britain.

“It’s really nice to work with each other. Everyone is really determined. We’re united in helping Ukraine and united in our hatred for Putin.”

Another London-based Ukrainian, Vladimir Shostak, is stockpiling supplies to be sent to his homeland after a pal’s brother was killed on the frontline. The project manager said: “There are now no helmets or bullet-proof vests in London for a 50-mile radius — we have bought them all and have already shipped them.

“We are now looking at places like Colchester, Birmingham and even Scotland — apparently there are used military supplies in storage.”