Ex-convicts are willing to volunteer to fight in the Ukrainian army, despite the severe shortage of manpower.
Viktor, a former prisoner soldier of the 1st Separate Assault Battalion “Da Vinci” at a training grounds in Donetsk Oblast Sept. 12, 2023. (Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent).
Editor’s Note: In accordance to the security protocols of Ukraine‘s military, the soldiers featured in this article are identified only by their first names and callsigns.
DONETSK OBLAST: Two dozen men in summer fatigues listened attentively as a morning lesson was delivered in the long, dried grass outside a village house that had been abandoned.
“We engage here.” The young instructor instructs, “These people who were in those positions here run 20 meters over the open area to defend here”, flicking his marker on the whiteboard as rifle fire. “If we have to retreat, our friend throws 2 grenades while on the move. He retreats here.”
Sergeant Vadym “Malyi,” 26, is no stranger when it comes to teaching new recruits the basics of infantry tactics.
“Now, to storm you, scum must get out of the trenches,” continues he. “This area is 20 meters wide and in the open. What does it give us? “A chance to kill this guy.”
Read More @ kyivindependent.com