For the past 72 hours, the skies over a secret training location in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region have been filled with the ominous sound of drones. However, this time, the buzz isn’t coming from Russian suicide drones, but from a Ukrainian unmanned aircraft capturing footage from the training grounds for commanders back at base.
This hidden location is where Ukraine’s latest batch of recruits is undergoing accelerated training to prepare for the intense battles ahead. The stakes are high as Ukraine works to counter Moscow’s relentless advance. The most remarkable aspect of this scene is the age of the new recruits. Many are in their 40s and 50s, including Rostyslav, a former driver from the Odesa region. Just a month ago, he was living a civilian life, but now he faces the reality that he could soon be fighting on Russian soil as Ukraine vows to hold on to the land it seized during a recent incursion.
Rostyslav, like many others, believes in the necessity of this operation. “We’ve been suffering for so long, we have to do something,” he says. “You can’t just sit there while they are capturing our territory. What will we do then? Will we become their slaves?”
The urgency of the situation is evident in the accelerated training program. Under the scorching sun, the recruits practice jumping in and out of American-made armored fighting vehicles and open fire on simulated enemy positions. The military is keen to ensure the secrecy of this location, reviewing footage before it is reported, though no editorial control is exercised.
In nearby woodlands, recruits repel a simulated Russian attack on Ukrainian trenches, while grenade target practice echoes across the plain. Ukraine’s need for more troops is pressing, as the war drags on and the Ministry of Defence in London estimates significant Russian casualties. To address the manpower shortage, Ukraine has lowered the conscription age and implemented a new law requiring military service for younger men, though service for women remains voluntary.
Despite the rapid training, concerns remain. Professional soldiers have expressed frustration that some recruits are being sent to the frontlines without adequate preparation, a situation that could be catastrophic. Nevertheless, the military assures that only those who have acquired sufficient skills will be deployed to combat zones.
The war is at a critical juncture. Ukraine is on the defensive in key areas, particularly around the strategically vital city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk. However, last month’s daring incursion into Russia has boosted morale, adding a new dimension to the conflict and presenting significant challenges for President Zelensky and his generals, who must decide where to deploy these new recruits.
Maxim, a 30-year-old builder, is among the youngest in the group. He acknowledges the importance of thorough preparation. “We need to train, train, and train again,” he says. “The more we train, the more we will learn here. It will help us on the frontline.”
In another location closer to the Russian border, we witness the remnants of previous battles—entire streets reduced to rubble by Russian artillery. Amidst the desolation, Ukrainian soldiers continue their preparations, including the recovery of damaged and destroyed vehicles from inside Russia.
The drive for greater Western support is more urgent than ever. President Zelensky has repeatedly called for increased American and European assistance, particularly in air defense and permission to use long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory. Ukraine, with its limited reserves, faces a daunting task as it fights battles both at home and abroad.
As the training session ends, exhausted soldiers relax momentarily, aware that soon, their skills will be tested in real combat. Rostyslav, longing to return to his family in Odesa, voices a sentiment shared by many: “The Russians can reach our territory with long-range weapons, and we don’t have such a weapon to reach theirs. We can’t stand this anymore.”
The next rocket-propelled grenade launched may not be a drill, and for these recruits, the reality of war is imminent.