This helmet-cam footage, provided as part of a Finnish documentary series, is from the perspective of “Muumi”, a platoon leader in Ukraine’s International legion. As Russian mortar rounds land around and on his location, he focuses on his subordinates and their welfare first and foremost, despite becoming wounded himself.

Muumi is shown to be an effective and talented platoon leader with the ability to switch between different languages (Finnish, Ukrainian, and English) at will, in order to communicate and disseminate information across the nationalities in the Legion. He also does credit to Finland’s fighting reputation of being hard as a coffin nail.

At 01:22, a mortar round slams in, effectively right on top of a camouflaged International Legionnaire. The source for this footage does not expound on his fate, but it’s probably, unfortunately, safe to say that he was killed. However, the explosion also wounds Muumi- according to the narration, it shatters most of the bones in his arm. Despite this, he keeps calm and requests a tourniquet while radioing QRF. He continues to lead and protect his people, ensuring they are spaced out to prevent more overlapping casualties from single rounds. This incident occurred in the autumn of 2023. His service, and the injuries he accrued in its pursuit, would be enough for anyone to be justified in saying “job done,” but Muumi intends to return to the fight once healed.

Finland’s historical stance in checking Russian aggression turned Finnish soldiers Simo Häyhä and Lauri Törni (aka Larry Thorne) into household names across the Western military and special operations communities. Muumi’s actions reflect that legacy.

 

About the Author

 

       

     

Cole Simms

     

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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