28 Jan 2026

Kiwi soldier speaks on losing leg after fighting in Ukraine

From Checkpoint, 4:43 pm on 28 January 2026

A New Zealander who had his leg amputated after being severely injured while fighting in Ukraine says he sung Aotearoa's national anthem to keep himself going during his excruciating rescue. Khol Gillies had to wait days to be evacuated from the battlefield because fierce fighting made it virutally impossible to reach him. Gillies, originally from Hawkes Bay had been in Ukraine for six months fighting as a volunteer. Gillies spoke to Lisa Owen.