In the Arey Separate Assault Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army (UVA), part of the 129th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, training for new recruits happens regardless of whether they’ve completed the standard three-month course at the Armed Forces’ training centre. In Arey, soldiers go through an extra round of training led by experienced assault troops, focusing on more than just sharing combat experience.
According to Arey’s commanders, joining the battalion feels like joining a family where your well-being is a top priority. The main goal is to make sure every soldier returns from the front lines safe and sound. The battalion is not willing to risk sending untrained or unprepared soldiers into combat, as this would only lead to unnecessary losses.
Much depends on each soldier’s individual skills and capabilities. If an assessment shows that their level of preparedness is adequate, they can be deployed to combat units immediately. However, if the instructor decides that the soldier is not yet ready for battle, the training will continue for as long as necessary—even if that means extending for a full year.
Significant emphasis is placed on the ideological training of new recruits in the Arey battalion. Here, it’s strongly believed that victory is shaped by people, not machines. But not just any people—those who are ideologically committed. While physical strength is important, it’s spiritual resilience that keeps one from wavering and ensures steadfastness on the chosen path. “I am convinced, and I believe everyone understands, that it’s not the machinery that fights,” says Stepan Kovalchyk, head of security for the Arey battalion. “We could receive tens of thousands of tons of equipment—tanks, missiles, the finest gear available—but ultimately, it’s people who operate all of it. These individuals must be not only skilled and professional but also ideologically sound. They need to understand, in both mind and heart, why they are fighting, what their cause is, and have a clear vision of the end goal. To me, that goal is unequivocal: the dismantling of Russia’s pseudo-empire. If we don’t achieve this, they will continue to disrupt our lives as they have for over 300 years—and they won’t stop.”
“Ukraine is determined to fight until we achieve victory, and that means we need a lot of people,” says the soldier. But mobilisation needs to be handled wisely and fairly. Leaders, especially MPs, should lead by example and encourage citizens to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Sure, a few hundred MPs won’t make a huge difference on the battlefield, but their involvement is key to keeping things fair. “If they see themselves as the elite, they need to act like it,” he adds.
Currently, servicemembers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine receive a salary based on their location and duties. However, the soldier anticipates a scenario where funds may dwindle, salaries might be cut, or payments could cease altogether. The commitment to defending one’s homeland transcends financial considerations. “If needed, one must be prepared to fight without compensation. You are fighting for your country, and those who contribute to its victory will ultimately reap the rewards… You will secure businesses, benefits, financial stability, and a prosperous future for your children,” he asserts.
Units like Arey are highly sought after by volunteers who are keen to defend their country but cautious about falling under the command of unprofessional, Soviet-style leaders. Unfortunately, not all parts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces offer the same level of respect for their personnel or the genuinely supportive atmosphere found in “Arey.” Soviet-era habits and protocols still linger within the Ukrainian military. As a result, being assigned to this unit is seen as a major stroke of luck for those who are mobilised.
