Brazilian fights in the war in Ukraine after losing R$340,000 in online betting: 'Mental prison'

Brazilian loses R$340,000 in betting and enlists in the Ukrainian war to overcome addiction A 35-year-old Brazilian left his life on the coast of São Paulo to enlist in the Ukrainian Army after losing more than R$340,000 in online betting. To g1, Thiago Morais da Silva Moita said that the change contributed to the victory over gambling addiction. "I was destroying myself. I thought: 'I need to get out of here, I need to change'. My father told me: You've already bet everything you have, now you're going to bet your life? [...] I needed to get out of that environment to change my thinking, get out of that mental prison", he said. ?Click here to follow the g1 Santos channel on WhatsApp. A resident of Iguape, on the coast of São Paulo, Moita said he began serving in the Ukrainian Army in March, after enlisting in the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine. Since then, he has undergone training and missions. According to him, the enlistment occurred after a psychologist revealed signs of gambling disorder. He said that, in a single day, he lost more than R$75,000 betting. ? Ludopathy is addiction to gambling and betting. Classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a mental disorder, it affects the brain reward system. Addiction and Ukrainian Army Born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Moita moved to Iguape (SP) in 2022, after obtaining custody of his son. In the new city, he worked in electronics sales and as an app driver, but he invested all the money he earned in services. "I even ordered my father to confiscate my phone so I wouldn't play," said Moita. According to him, the decision to enlist in the Ukrainian Army was not well received by his family, who are also military personnel. For Moita, however, the challenge changed his perception about money. Thiago Moita, 35 years old, enlisted in the Ukrainian Army to combat his addiction to virtual betting. Social media 'BadBoy' On his social media profile, named 'BadBoynaUkraine', Moita began to share his daily life during the war. The routine includes daily 12-hour training, in which you learn how to handle weapons, mines, grenades, explosives and also military tactics. The nickname, according to him, was what he called a group of friends growing up in São Gonçalo (RJ). The name was incorporated into the Army identification card. “No one here knows anyone’s name, just because of the name. Nobody here knows me as Thiago,” he said. Thiago Moita, 35 years old, enlisted in the Ukrainian Army to combat his addiction to virtual betting. Social networks Routine and conflicts Moita highlighted that the routine is marked by missions and rest periods at military bases. Missions can last from a week to 40 days, depending on operational needs. According to him, there are thirteen other Brazilians in the battalion where he is located. He pointed out that he does not work in the "assault" teams, directly involved in armed clashes with the Russians. However, the troops experience conflicts due to drone and missile attacks. Moita highlighted that, since March, he had been located in a region considered dangerous. "It was a nightmare. Less than a week after I got there, a missile hit my house. A fighter jet passed by and dropped three bombs there," he said. Furthermore, after being transferred to a region considered safer, an attack occurred that left dozens of people dead. "If I hadn't been transferred in time, I would be dead now," he reported, highlighting the loss of a Brazilian colleague. Thiago Moita, 35 years old, enlisted in the Ukrainian Army to combat his addiction to virtual betting. contract. After that, he must decide whether he will terminate the agreement or continue representing the Ukrainian Army for the next three years. “I don't know what will happen from now on,” he said. Even though he is paid as a combatant, Moita highlighted the risks of enlisting. Three of my colleagues fled [they were deserters]. And they were the best”, he concluded. VIDEOS: g1 in 1 minute Santos