Dimko Zhluktenko 🇺🇦⚔️ Profile picture
Oct 9, 2024 10 tweets 4 min read Read on X
I just finished my basic training course in the Ukrainian Army!

That was an adventure, however it prepared me for the real fight against r*ssian invasion.

This is how Ukraine trains its soldiers 🧵 Image
We lived in tents in an undisclosed location, deep in the forests. Before arriving there, we were issued tons of different gear, sleeping bags and body armor. The quality was OK, but the size didn't always fit well for everyone.

I bought myself a cheap platecarrier that fit me. Image
The training was very intensive, packed into 35 days.

I learned a lot about international law, military laws, and hierarchy, and then we moved onto practical classes in the field - how to handle a weapon, how to treat wounded, movement, formations, tactics, booby traps, etc. Image
I would judge the training as the maximum possible in 35 days. However, I would definitely appreciate more training in tactical medicine and shooting.

In total, each recruit fired about 300 rounds from their AKs issued for the time of training.
However, thanks to our instructors and myself, we organized some classes in urban combat and tactics using airsoft weapons.

That was fun and deadly, and we learned well from the instant feedback. For instance, there, I learned to shoot from my left hand and Somali-shooting. Image
In some cases, our training drilled into mental toughness, even preparing us for the grim reality of becoming POWs. This perspective was interesting, especially as one of our commanders endured ten months as a POW in Mariupol.

Our instructors? Every single one battle-hardened.
I made some great friends there. In my training, most people volunteered to sign a contract with the Armed Forces.

This gives you another level of motivation and understanding of the world in them. I respect that they left their cozy homes and families to protect them. Image
I am now about to start another training course, specializing in my military job.

This will take some time, and I know my pipeline of getting me into combat so I can make an impact.

I didn't see anything like throwing people into combat right after they got into the Army. Image
I am motivated to join the fight for the most important concept of the 21st century - Freedom.

I believe Ukraine is the battlefield of ideas—Freedom against Tyranny. I must protect what and who is dear to me.

Thank you for being on this journey with me. Image
I hope you've found this thread insightful.

Follow me @dim0kq for more stories from Ukraine.

Like/Repost the quote below if you can so more people could understand what is happening in Ukraine, on the ground. Thank you!

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More from @dim0kq

Feb 27
Why Ukrainians Will Not Get a Just, Lasting Peace 🧵

Thoughts as Ukrainian Soldier, Christian, Public Policy student: Image
1/ With Trump’s return, Ukraine’s fate is back in debate - especially among those of us fighting on the frontlines.
In our dugout, trench candles flicker, artillery rumbles. My buddy John exhales:

"Trump is back. He’ll force Russia to negotiate."

And the debate begins.
2/ We all want peace. But what if that “peace” is just a ceasefire—a frozen conflict that only delays the next invasion?
Back in Dnipro, I kept thinking:

Not just as soldier, but as a public policy student, a writer, and a Ukrainian citizen.

Could real, just peace exist for us?
Read 15 tweets
Feb 24
Day 1097. First day of 4th year of the Russian full-scale invasion.

I can’t believe it.

I am a Ukrainian soldier, on a day off today. Lots of time to think before I head out for my next mission at 4 AM tomorrow.

Here is WHY I protect my home and fight for Ukraine’s Freedom. 🧵 Image
People often asked why I fight, joined the Army, or why Ukraine matters to me.

I just wanna live Free and pursue Happiness.

I wrote a book explaining Ukrainians through my lens - through my little personal story of war.

It's on pre-sale now: kovyla.pub/dimkoImage
@kovyla_pub I fight for my friends and family who got killed in action by Russia.

I lost many friends this year. Lost my uncle in combat near Pokrovsk.

Visited many of my friends yesterday at military cemetery in Lviv. Surreal isn’t it? It’s so unfair. Image
Read 14 tweets
Jan 20
Thread: Why Do Russians Go to Fight in Ukraine? It’s All About the $$$

1/ Why do Russians go to fight in Ukraine? Spoiler: it’s not about ideology or patriotism. It’s all about the money.

Let me explain. Image
2/ In many Russian regions, the average salary is ~$150/month. These areas, essentially colonies, are deliberately kept impoverished by Moscow. People rely on predatory microloans to survive, trapping them in a vicious cycle of poverty. Image
3/ Then, the Kremlin swoops in with military contracts. Huge sign-up bonuses, travel costs covered, and promises of stability. Recruitment drives specifically target these struggling regions—offering “fast money” to people who have no other way out. Image
Read 17 tweets
Nov 19, 2024
Day 1000. My life changed drastically since day 1.

Everyone said Ukraine will fall in 3 days. Not a single person believed in us, but we fought fiercely in 2022, against all odds, and we won the battle of Kyiv.

My thoughts on 1000 days, as a soldier of Ukrainian Army now🧵 Image
My life changed a ton. From peaceful life of IT guy earning a fortune, traveling through the world and enjoying life with my girlfriend... To a soldier wearin uniform.

I give my everything to protect my dear ones in Ukraine and to protect the greatest value of my life - Freedom. Image
Image
I also grew as a person in those 1000 days of tears, death, wounds, sacrifice, faith and love. It was a tough transformation in the time of challenges. But worth it.

I became responsible for my own actions, my family, my nation and our own planet Earth. Image
Read 9 tweets
Oct 23, 2024
I turn 26 years young today.

In the times of flames, I get to make the toughest decisions a man ever has to make. I stay fun and positive because I know - fire refines iron.

Reflections on having my first birthday in the Army and congratz thread here 🧵 Image
This year, I proposed to my girlfriend Ira, and as you see in the picture, we got perfectly married.

The war acts as a catalyst for every decision.

Love, in times of war, finds a way to bloom the strongest. It motivates me a lot to defend our future. Image
To defend our future, also this year, I decided to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The reasoning is simple - I want to defend our Freedom - for myself, my dear ones, those who can't defend it themselves, and for our nation.

Even if that implies putting my life on the line. Image
Read 6 tweets
Oct 14, 2024
I do not recommend donating to the Georgian Legion.

🚩 Zero financial transparency on where the donations went
🚩 Blocking those who ask questions
🚩 Threatening lives of pro-UA community

GL had enough time to make things right, but they chose not to. 🧵 Image
Let's draw a clear line between real Georgian fighters in Ukraine and the @georgian_legion account. I am for Ukraine, but I think this profile hurts Ukraine.

They amassed significant donations funneled into a personal PayPal of Taras Reshetylo who manages that Twitter account.
It's OK to gather donations to put them to good use for Ukraine. That's what we believed the GL account did, but recently, it became obvious that they gathered hundreds of thousands of dollars and clearly didn't show any details on how the funds were spent.

Tweet related ->
Read 10 tweets

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