5 March 2025
Olena was at her dream job, a personal trainer at a successful gym, when she heard news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
She had been part of the Volunteer Army since the Maidan Revolution in 2014, but felt something was different this time. She knew she had to do more.
“When the full-scale invasion started, the thing I realised was I am fully capable to do something more than just volunteering,” she said.
“There are people with limited capabilities who will take care of volunteering. I, myself, can do much more.”
Olena and her sister went together to sign up for full-time service, and she is one of more than 2000 Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) soldiers trained by Australians under Operation Kudu.
As one of 13 nations working together under the British-led Operation Interflex, Australian forces provide leadership training at section and platoon level, and urban, trench and woodland warfare.
Another trainee on the section commander course, Serhii, was living an extremely different life before the war, working as a banker at one of Ukraine’s major banks.
He found the Australians shared a similar mindset to the AFU and valued the instruction he received.
Learning how to deliver a structured set of orders was important, as they were often rushed due to being pressed for time on the ground in Ukraine.
“But you might find it surprising, the thing I find different is the general atmosphere of the training. It’s peaceful and safe, not like back home,” he said.
The relationship between the Australian trainers and AFU trainees, while initially reserved, grew during the course as they built mutual respect.
'There are people with limited capabilities who will take care of volunteering. I, myself, can do much more.'
Another trainee section commander, Arthur, said the Australian instruction went beyond his expectations.
“Despite this course being about leadership knowledge - how to be a leader to NATO standards - Australians have given us much more,” he said.
“They teach us many interesting things: how to be in urban environments, how to be in trenches, and many tips I have noted in my notebook, and will use it in the war.”
A sculptor before the full-scale invasion, Arthur believed the AFU had just as much to teach the Australians as they had to learn.
“We know many nuances about war, that we have gotten from our experience, not from some standards but from real life,” he said
“I can teach how to dig trenches to avoid first-person-view drone attack or drop explosives from drones; I can give tips on many different things.”
Arthur still practises his art whenever he can, and plans to create sculptures depicting his experience in the war after it’s over.
Serhii also has big plans for after the war. Hearing so much about his instructors’ homeland has inspired him to travel to Australia.
“I want to go to Australia, because the instructors have told me I am welcome there any time. I want to go there with my daughter and see this great country,” he said.
Though the war has been going for more than 1000 days, Olena said knowing their families were behind them kept the AFU’s fighting spirit going.
“The first days of the war were hard; we fought through them. It’s not much easier now, but we know how hard it could be, and we are still sure we can fight. We cannot surrender now,” she said.
“I want to come back to my beloved job. I want to come back to my family, my son, my near and dear.”
