"Sad that I didn't have time to love with all my heart": Farewell note of a 22-year-old Frenchman who died in Ukraine shocks the network

A 22-year-old citizen of France, International Legion fighter Andreas Gallotzi, went to defend Ukraine from the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion. On the anniversary of the defender's death, his farewell note was posted on Facebook by his comrade Olivier Zhue. Andreas Gallotzi addressed his last words to his mother, and he spent his last hours reviewing photos with his relatives.

Only a miracle could have saved him...

Ukrainians were struck by the farewell note written by the 22-year-old International Legion fighter Andreas Gallotzi to his family. In it, the French citizen, who set out to defend Ukraine from the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion, wrote that only a miracle could have saved him in war, but he does not regret his choice.

On the anniversary of the Ukrainian defender's death, his last words were posted on Facebook by Oliver Zhue, a comrade of the deceased.

"Mom, I'm fine where I am now."

The warrior died on February 16, 2023, in battles near Novoselivka, Svatove district, in Luhansk region. Andreas Gallotzi, originally from the department of Yonne in Burgundy, was only 22 years old. Acquaintances say he always wanted to be a soldier, joining the French 17th Engineer Parachute Regiment in 2020. And in 2022, the young man traveled from France to defend democracy, Ukraine, Ukrainians, and Europe.

In the International Legion, where Andreas was given the call sign "Frenchie," comrades noted that he was determined and willingly fulfilled his duty.

In phone conversations with his mother, Edith, the son repeated: "Mom, I'm fine where I am now. I know why I came here. I understand what I'm going for". And once on the front lines, he told her, "Mom, it's like 1914-1918 (*years of World War I) in the 21st century."

His second cousin, whose story Andreas and other members of his family heard and knew well, died in battle in 1918, finally saying, "Everything's fine."

In Andreas Gallotzi's personal belongings returned by his Legion comrades, his mother found a note with instructions for the family on where to find his last words on the phone. In the note, the soldier wrote:

"War is the curse of humanity because war never dies. There will always be just causes worth fighting and dying for, fighting against the insane who want to destroy everything around them for their own ego... Nothing else matters except trivialities." And then Andreas added another note titled "Last Words," indicating that the following text was inspired by letters from French soldiers of World War I. A friend noted that he voluntarily chose the text, perhaps because it touched him the most, so the fighter adapted phrases, adding his own words.

Andreas Gallotzi's last words

"My dearest mother, beloved family, my faithful friends. For me, the war is over, but I regret nothing; I have seen enough heroism and horrors. I pray that your fate will be more merciful. Our life is short. I am grateful to heaven for all the joys, for all the happiness and trials that fate has prepared for me. My life was wonderful and almost full. These few phrases will be my last. I spent my last hours reviewing all the photos with you, my precious memories. Only a miracle could have saved me. I knew this mission could be too dangerous, but I am a stubborn man; I didn't want to leave my friends to go alone into the heart of this hell. War drives people insane. I fulfilled my duty, defended the honor of France, Ukraine, and Europe. I feel no remorse for leaving for Ukraine; I found the meaning of my life and my beliefs. The only thing I regret, perhaps, is that I didn't have time to love someone with all my heart. I hope you can find the strength to forgive me, and may the Lord want to, perhaps, reunite us in heaven or elsewhere, separating us on this earth. Never forget the soldiers who died for the right cause.

I will never forget you; I love you."

These words were written by the International Legion fighter on February 1, 2023, and two weeks later, Andreas died in battle with Russian occupiers in eastern Ukraine.