Dimko Zhluktenko 🇺🇦⚔️ Profile picture
Oct 9 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

Aug 27
🚨 Kursk offensive breakthrough: Day 1.

This is how the units we support made it - the very initial breakthrough. Russians surrendered to them en masse.

This thread will help you understand why Ukraine won the battle of Kursk border. You can support the units directly.

🧵
Fortifications of russian forces were destroyed, they surrendered.

We had those videos immediately, but waited for opsec - so that brigade posted it first.

We work daily with this unit, and they need more drones to keep pushing - donate at dzygaspaw.com/support
Ukraine took a lot of prisoners in the first day. Russians clearly were caught by surprise by this coordinated UAV and mechanized assault.
Read 13 tweets
Aug 16
🚨 KURSK OFFENSIVE UPDATE 🚨

We just returned from Sudzha, Kursk region. We delivered more than $30K worth of high tech equipment to support the 🇺🇦 brigades fighting there.

I have some insights to share now.

🧵 Image
I didn’t post earlier due to OPSEC.

I sent my team to Sudzha and on 13th Aug they were already there, literally the first civilians to enter the area to assist.

I didn’t go myself as I am departing to my military service today and wanted some family days. Image
We ran a fundraiser for the units we support in the area and raised $24.580. This is outstanding.

Delivered all they needed - worth of $33.562 total.

This is a great example how crowdfunding could make a difference for them, especially given they need more night vision drones.

Image
Image
Read 9 tweets
Aug 2
I was just declared fit for military service for Ukraine!

I decided to join Ukraine's Army in combat role, and I went through the same process as everyone else in the country. Got my departure date already!

Here is my experience of how joining the fight looks like right now 🧵 Image
Way back in January 2023, I already made a thread on why I was not fighting—tldr—I was not called up and felt like I was making more impact with the multimillion $ charity.

I still didn't get called up, but I managed to help my wife take over the charity so I could fight.
So, I looked for a unit, figured out what role I wanted to take on, and how I see my future life in the military. Then, I reached out to many Ukrainian units—they have public recruitment—and talked to them.

I settled with the unit and active combat role I wanted. Image
Read 11 tweets
Jul 11
Ukraine does not have enough electricity. How bad is it?

Here is how I made tea for us at home in Lviv a few days ago.

It got me thinking and researching, and in this thread, I will share my personal and rational findings.

🧵 Image
I first dug into numbers. I measure everything in numbers.

At our place in Lviv, we have electricity for about 12 hours out of 24. The electricity is served in turns for different parts of the city, and there is a schedule that works and is available for everyone to see. Image
Why is it like that? Why should citizens not have basic comfort?

Because Ukraine does not produce enough electricity to cover the demand. About 70% of Ukraine's generation facilities have been damaged, destroyed, or occupied.
Read 11 tweets
Jul 5
I just got married. What's next?

Our marriage is an act of Free Will, we love Freedom - including freedom to be together.

R*ssia challenges our Freedom, so I will take up arms to defend Ukraine's Freedom.

I am about to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.🧵 Image
As much as I love my now wife, I want her, our dog Dzyga and our loved ones to live in free and safe Ukraine.

That's why I am joining the Army to defend Ukrainians against r*ssian invasion. I don't want my city to become the next Bucha, so I will do my best to kick r*ssians out. Image
In the last 2 years, I created Dzyga’s Paw - a charity crowdfunding millions dollars worth of high-tech equipment for Ukrainian defenders.

This made huge impact on the battlefield.

I also built a great team, many processes, a system. My wife, Ira, will take over the leadership. Image
Read 7 tweets
May 27
Russia is investing BILLIONS into disinformation campaigns.

Let's discover this one absolutely VILE example I have seen recently in replies to Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

a 🧵: Image
In the first tweet, I put Olena's very neutral post on her visiting some park in Serbia, nothing really offensive or provocative. However, she is always the target for the most VILE and weird conspiracy theories by russian bots.

Pic & quote related ->
Image
This account pushes the conspiracy theory that Ukraine's First Lady forces her guards to have sexual relations with her, otherwise be sent to the frontlines.

This is straight up ridiculous and made up, one of the craziest conspiracies I have heard about Zelenska. Image
Read 12 tweets

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