In a series of diary-like dispatches, Matt Gallagher shares a riveting on-the-ground account of training civilians for combat in the Ukrainian city of Lviv.
All-day lane rotations between trainers on urban movement, dismounted recon ops, and advanced room defense. They’re getting better. Petro’s a leader. So is Symon, the law student. So is Ivan, a regional manager of a clothing company. Adrian, Ben, and I chat. It’s time to start becoming more hands-off, we agree. Train the trainers.
Some of the trainees show us text messages they’ve received and been forwarded. People claiming to be American special-operations veterans offering security and exfiltration services for the low, low price of two grand a day. We’re the only suckers here losing money, Ben says, but he says it with pride, with honor.
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