Ukrainian service members want changes to basic training program
Ukrainian troops in Donetsk region, December 2025 (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)
More than 36,000 service members took part in a survey conducted via the Army+ app on their experience with basic combined arms training, Ukraine’s Ground Forces Command told NV.
The survey was conducted on Nov. 27–Dec. 10, 2025. Results show that nearly 45% of respondents said they were satisfied with their training experience, while 30% said they were partially satisfied. Almost 13% said they were rather dissatisfied, and nearly 10% said they were completely dissatisfied. Just over 2% said they were unable to answer.
Most respondents said that after completing basic training, their attitude toward military service either improved — fully or in part — or remained unchanged.
Service members said they would like more practical training, better organization of the training process, more rest, and fewer duty assignments.
When asked which skills gained during basic training proved most useful in later service, respondents most frequently cited firearms training (50.6%). That was followed by tactical medicine (48.2%), physical training (34.2%), tactical training such as small-unit coordination (28%), and survival skills (26.5%).
Respondents were also asked which subjects should receive greater emphasis during basic training. Unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, electronic warfare, and counter-drone measures ranked first, selected by more than 25% of respondents.
Small-unit tactics, coordination, and cohesion ranked second, cited by more than 15%, followed by firearms training and weapons knowledge at third place, also with more than 15%. Tactical medicine and evacuation ranked fourth, chosen by more than 10% of respondents, while engineering training, mining, and fortifications ranked fifth, selected by more than 5%.
Radio communications ranked last, cited by fewer than 5% of respondents.
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