The crack of gunfire echoed through the crisp morning air in a wooded training ground outside Kyiv. Half a dozen civilians, clad in mismatched fatigues and civilian jackets, moved in tight formation, executing small-arms drills under the watchful eyes of their instructors. The Last Line.
They are accountants, marketers, shopkeepers—ordinary Ukrainians who, in another life, would worry about their nine-to-fives and what to make for dinner. But today, they train for war, preparing for the possibility that Russia’s invasion will once again threaten the capital.
The Urgency of Preparedness
When Russian forces stormed across Ukraine’s borders in February 2022, the world watched in stunned disbelief as Kyiv stood defiant. Against overwhelming odds, Ukraine’s military and an army of volunteers held back the onslaught, forcing Russia’s withdrawal from the city’s outskirts.
But the lesson of those first harrowing weeks remains seared in the minds of many: if not for the civilians who picked up arms, Kyiv might have fallen. Now, more than three years into the war, Ukrainians understand that their defence is a collective responsibility.
Thousands of civilians train regularly across Ukraine. The group I accompanied gathers every Monday, often in groups of around ten, to hone their skills. In a secluded, gated area outside the city, they practice small-arms combat, manoeuvring drills, and, increasingly, drone piloting—a skill that is fast reshaping modern warfare.
A War of Machines and Men
Drones have become indispensable on the frontlines for reconnaissance, targeting, and direct strikes. The trainees here know that mastering drone warfare could mean the difference between life and death for soldiers holding defensive lines in the east. As one instructor put it, “The war is evolving. If you can see the enemy before they see you, you have the advantage.”
In the afternoon session, civilians took turns piloting small quadcopters through makeshift obstacles. Among them was Andriy, a marketing professional who, outside of training, raises funds to purchase and deliver vehicles to the front.
Many Ukrainian soldiers, especially in retreat, are forced to move on foot due to a lack of transport. Andriy’s charity work helps mitigate this deadly logistical shortfall. “We buy old cars from abroad, load them with supplies, and drive them to the frontline,” he said. “Every vehicle saves lives.”
Fractured but Resilient
Aleksy, another trainee, offered a more sombre perspective. He gave me a lift back to the city after training, reflecting on how the war has changed Ukraine. “At the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainians were like a single organism,” he said. “Now, after years of losses, Soviet-style’ meat grinder’ tactics, and the corruption of our leaders, people are tired. Many broken.”
Aleksy’s family is in Poland, but he refuses to leave. “I won’t ever leave,” he said firmly. “No one plans for the future anymore. We take things day by day.” His words echoed a growing sentiment among some civilians: exhaustion, uncertainty, and the creeping fear that the war might drag on indefinitely.
Some, in their fatigue, even entertain the unthinkable—ending the war at any cost, even if it means conceding territory to Russia. But for those who continue to train, surrender is not an option. “Putin won’t stop,” one of the men explained. “If we give him land today, he will take more tomorrow.”
The Global Stakes
As Ukraine fights for survival, the world order shifts around it. U.S. support for Kyiv is wavering, European nations are stepping up, and the UK is debating direct troop involvement. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin dons military attire in a symbolic gesture of war without end.
The uncertainty surrounding Western commitment has made one thing clear to Ukrainians: they cannot rely on external help alone. They must be ready to defend their homeland themselves.
The Last Line of Defense
Back at the training ground, the civilians packed up their gear, some heading home to families, others back to their day jobs. They are not professional soldiers, nor do they claim to be. But in a war where the enemy is relentless, and uncertainty is the only constant, they are Kyiv’s last line of defence.
They train because they must, because they have no choice, and because, as history has already proven, Ukraine will stand—or fall—on the courage of its people when the time comes. The Last Line image, The Last Line image.The Last Line image, The Last Line image.The Last Line image, The Last Line image.
