Drones, Tactical Medicine, and Combat Skills: Basic Training for Foreign Volunteers in Ukraine

Basic military training is a crucial step in preparing foreign volunteers for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The 65-day programme combines intensive field drills at a training centre with cohesion exercises within future units, equipping recruits with the skills needed to face the realities of modern warfare.

Kostiantyn Milevskyi, Head of the Department of Coordination of Military Service of Foreigners in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, explains how the training programme works, what skills volunteers acquire, and why protecting the lives of soldiers remains its top priority.

The Structure of the Training Course

Basic training is a crucial part of integrating foreign volunteers into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The course lasts 65 days in total: 51 days of intensive training at a training ground, followed by 14 days of training within their future units.

Skills and Practical Training

During the 51-day intensive training period, volunteers acquire as many practical skills and as much knowledge as possible. The programme covers weapons handling, tactical training, working in pairs and groups of three, assault missions, clearing trenches and buildings, moving through wooded areas and across different types of terrain, radio communications, tactical medicine, drone operations, counter-drone measures, and much more.

Final Assessment

The training course concludes with a three-day assessment, during which each volunteer demonstrates the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program in conditions that closely simulate combat.

Adapting to Modern Warfare

All training takes place in conditions that simulate the realities of modern warfare. We aim to incorporate drone-related training into as many exercises as possible, preparing soldiers to operate under the threat of drone attacks.

Building Combat Readiness

The training environment is designed to place soldiers under significant physical and psychological stress, preparing them for the demands of combat operations and missions. This helps them carry out their missions successfully and, most importantly, stay alive.

The top priority of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is the lives of our soldiers. Their safety is our primary concern.

Supporting and Sharing Experience

The Ukrainian people are deeply grateful to everyone who has come to Ukraine to fight against evil. We have great respect for each and every volunteer who has made this decision.

On our part, we are committed to supporting every volunteer throughout the training course, helping them acquire as much knowledge and as many practical skills as possible. These skills may prove valuable not only during military service but also in civilian life after their service ends.

We also hope that the most capable recruits, those who demonstrate outstanding performance during training and military service, will return to the training centre as instructors and pass on their knowledge and experience to future recruits.