作者：胡丽莉 摄影：关永杰、袁强、何宜城
编辑：罗志飞
翻译:何兴强
2025年8月29日，闻道读书会举办了一场特别活动，邀请两位来自香港与中国大陆的志愿者，分享他们亲历乌克兰战场的真实经历。他们分别是在乌克兰海军陆战队服役的香港人 Edwin（线上连线）以及乌克兰国际志愿军团成员、民主党党员 Atticus Freeman（现场分享）。
活动现场，Freeman 将从前线带回的旗帜郑重展示在众人面前。他讲述了乌克兰的现状，讲到了顽强的乌克兰人和惨烈的战况，讲到现代战争中无人机的重要作用，而这正是他在前线所承担的关键任务。他几天前才从硝烟弥漫的战场归来，身上仍带着前线的气息，与大家分享那种紧绷到极限的氛围和残酷的生死考验。他坦言，自己很快还会再次返回乌克兰，继续投入无人机作战的支持工作，用行动兑现对自由与正义的承诺。
在分享中，Freeman 还谈到自己身上的纹身。那些深刻在皮肤上的符号与文字，不只是装饰，而是他一生信念的烙印。它们承载着他对自由与民主的渴望，也象征着对专制与暴政的抗争。他说，每一道纹身都提醒自己：自由来之不易，唯有用行动去守护。正如他选择投身乌克兰战场一样，这些纹身是无声的呐喊，更是永不妥协的宣言。
通过现场连线，Edwin 讲述了自己在乌克兰前线的作战经历。他回忆了战场的残酷与无情，枪弹横飞、战友死伤的场景触目惊心。然而，他同时表达了对胜利的信心与对自由的渴望。他表示，自己之所以奔赴前线，是为了失去自由的香港，为了香港下一代能够重获自由，也是为了全球人民共同反抗暴政。他直言痛恨独裁政权，批判中共支持俄罗斯侵略的行径。活动中，前自由亚洲记者孙诚现场担任速记与翻译，帮助更多与会者理解Edwin的讲述。
两位分享者的人生轨迹，同样折射出一条由抗争走向战场的道路：
Edwin：香港人，曾参与雨伞运动与反送中运动，2019年离开香港赴英国。2023年加入乌克兰海军陆战队，并晋升为军官；2024年在乌克兰加入中国民主党。
Atticus Freeman：1985年生于辽宁锡伯族农村，2003年考入北京大学，期间创作小说批判教育体制，2007年退学后游历新疆、西藏、云南等地并持续写作。2008年至2019年任职图书编辑，出版包括《南渡北归》在内的多部著作。2020年至2024年任职苹果公司，从上海调往美国加州。2023年申请加入美国海军，2024年入籍后投身乌克兰国际志愿军团，参与前线作战，并在当年9月进入乌军部队，目前致力于帮助华人参军和培训工作。
这是两位普通华人的非凡经历。从香港街头的抗争，到乌克兰战场的硝烟，他们用行动践行了对自由与正义的承诺。无论是Edwin在枪林弹雨中坚持信念，还是Freeman以无人机支援前线，他们都在告诉世界：自由没有国界，它值得每一个渴望的人付出勇气与行动去守护。
Freedom Has No Borders: Chinese Volunteers’ Testimonies from the Ukrainian Frontline
Author: Hu Lili Photography: Guan Yongjie, Yuan Qiang, He Yicheng
Editor: Luo Zhifei
Translator:He XingQiang
Abstract: On August 29, 2025, the Wen Dao Book Club invited two volunteers to share their personal experiences on the Ukrainian battlefield. They were Edwin, serving in the Ukrainian Marine Corps, and Atticus Freeman, a member of the Chinese Democracy Party.
On August 29, 2025, the Wen Dao Book Club hosted a special event, inviting two volunteers from Hong Kong and mainland China to share their firsthand experiences on the Ukrainian battlefield. They were Edwin, a Hong Kong native serving in the Ukrainian Marine Corps (joining online), and Atticus Freeman, a member of the Ukrainian International Legion and the Chinese Democracy Party (sharing on-site).
At the event, Freeman solemnly displayed a flag he had brought back from the frontlines. He spoke about the current state of Ukraine, the resilience of its people, and the brutality of the war. He emphasized the crucial role of drones in modern warfare, which was precisely his task at the front. Having just returned from the smoke-filled battlefield a few days prior, he still carried the aura of the frontline, sharing the tension of life-and-death struggles. He admitted that he would soon return to Ukraine to continue supporting drone operations, fulfilling his commitment to freedom and justice through action.
Through live video, Edwin shared his combat experiences on the Ukrainian frontlines. He recalled the cruelty of battle: bullets flying, comrades wounded and killed, scenes that were seared into memory. Yet, he also conveyed confidence in victory and a deep longing for freedom. He explained that his decision to fight was for the freedom of Hong Kong, for the hope that the next generation of Hong Kongers could regain liberty, and for all people worldwide resisting tyranny. He openly condemned authoritarian regimes and denounced the Chinese Communist Party’s support for Russia’s invasion. Former Radio Free Asia journalist Sun Cheng attended the event as stenographer and translator, helping participants better understand Edwin’s words.
The life stories of the two speakers reflected a common path—from resistance to the battlefield:
Edwin: A Hong Kong native, he participated in the Umbrella Movement and the Anti-Extradition Movement. In 2019, he left Hong Kong for the UK. In 2023, he joined the Ukrainian Marine Corps and rose to the rank of officer. In 2024, he joined the Chinese Democracy Party while in Ukraine.
Atticus Freeman: Born in 1985 in a Xibe ethnic village in Liaoning Province. In 2003, he was admitted to Peking University, where he wrote novels criticizing the education system. He dropped out in 2007 and traveled across Xinjiang, Tibet, and Yunnan while continuing to write. From 2008 to 2019, he worked as a book editor, publishing works including Southward Journey, Northward Return. From 2020 to 2024, he worked at Apple Inc., relocating from Shanghai to California. In 2023, he applied to join the U.S. Navy, and after gaining U.S. citizenship in 2024, he enlisted in the Ukrainian International Legion, fighting on the frontlines. By September that year, he officially entered Ukrainian military units. He is now dedicated to helping Chinese enlist and providing training.
These are the extraordinary journeys of two ordinary Chinese individuals. From the protests in the streets of Hong Kong to the smoke of the Ukrainian battlefield, they have honored their commitment to freedom and justice through action. Whether it is Edwin holding fast to his beliefs under gunfire, or Freeman supporting the frontlines with drones, they are both telling the world: Freedom has no borders—it is worth the courage and action of all who yearn for it.
