For most, the four-year mark of the war in Ukraine is a grim milestone on the news. For Calgary native Mac Hughes, it’s etched into his skin. After nearly dying in a drone strike, the 23-year-old’s perspective is as scarred and resilient as he is: the war isn’t ending anytime soon.
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In July 2025, Mac’s service with the Ukrainian armed forces nearly reached a brutal conclusion.
- The Strike: A Russian Shahed drone hit his location, pinning him against a wall and igniting diesel fuel.
- The Toll: He suffered third-degree burns over 30% of his body. In the heat of the moment, the pain was so agonizing he asked his comrades to end his life.
- The Recovery: Today, following extensive skin grafts and months of rehab in Kharkiv, Mac is back on his feet. With the dark wit common among soldiers, he compares his scarred legs to “Call of Duty” character skins.
The “HUGS” Mission
Mac isn’t alone in his commitment. His father, Paul Hughes, moved to Ukraine just days after the 2022 invasion to found HUGS (Helping Ukraine Grassroots Support).
- On the Frontlines of Aid: Paul operates out of Kharkiv, delivering food and medicine to civilians while living through constant blackouts and air raids.
- No Exit Strategy: Despite the danger, Paul refuses to return to the safety of Calgary, stating that leaving now would be a betrayal of the work they’ve done over the last four years.
The Reality Check
The Hughes family’s outlook is a sobering “boots-on-the-ground” reality check for the West. Mac’s assessment of the stalemate is blunt:
“Nothing’s changing. The war’s going on… It’s not going to go away for at least another couple of years unless the world actually does something.”
