What's the problem?
As Ukraine enters its fourth year of full-scale war, the need for soldiers keeps growing. Many who have been fighting on the front lines since the beginning now need rest and replacements.
Meanwhile, the draft situation has changed dramatically, as reported by Euromaidan Press. In 2022, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians volunteered to take up arms to defend their country. By 2024, however, more people were looking for ways to avoid military service than those signing up willingly. The reasons vary — from slim chances of getting a preferred role and frustration with incompetent commanders to unclear service terms and poor strategic planning.
What's the solution?
Maksym has served in a volunteer unit for over a year, taking part in combat missions alongside his comrades. He describes this kind of service as a "gentle mobilization" because it allows people to prepare at their own pace, without pressure.
According to him, joining a volunteer unit is especially helpful for those without prior military experience who want to ease into it — figuring out if they're ready and how they can contribute. The biggest advantage of these units is the flexibility: just as joining is voluntary, so is leaving.
"Not everyone is ready to be mobilized right away or commit to a long-term contract. Some people can't step away from their jobs or businesses yet but still want to defend their country. Others are scared or hesitant or unsure where they'd be most useful. In these cases, a volunteer unit can be the perfect first step," he explains.
Photo courtesy of Maksym
In his civilian life, Maksym works in IT. When the war began, he and his colleagues volunteered and fundraised to help the Ukrainian forces. As time went on, Maksym realized that wasn't enough — he wanted to do more. Because Maksym had no military experience, he was hesitant at first. One day, though, he stumbled upon the social media page of a commander from a volunteer aerial reconnaissance unit.
"I sent him a message, introduced myself, and said I wanted to try becoming a volunteer aerial scout, even though I didn't have the required skills. I mentioned I could buy my own gear and train on my days off from work, gradually preparing myself to join missions," says the volunteer fighter.
A week later, Maksym received a Google form asking about his professional and military experience and understanding of weapons. He was honest — he had only done a few tactical medicine training sessions — and didn't expect to be accepted.
"Just a few weeks later, I was added to the unit's group chat, and that marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life," he adds.
What drew Maskym to volunteer service most was its flexibility and the smooth onboarding process. No one is thrown into battle right away, he explains. Everyone starts with training under experienced comrades who've already been in combat. The length and specifics of the training depend on the unit, but it includes field exercises, so you can see how things work in actual conditions. If you feel ready and aren't scared, you can visit a front-line town and eventually go on your first combat mission.
Photo courtesy of Maksym
Inna's journey to a volunteer unit was quite different. In civilian life, she was a journalist, and in 2023, she decided to sign a contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and defend her country. She prepared thoroughly, completing a three-month general military training course for civilians, a combat first aid course, and drone operation training.
However, she soon realized that being a woman was an obstacle. Despite her training, she was either rejected or offered only non-combat positions.
"Everywhere I applied, they offered me either a clerical job or a role in the press service," says Inna. "I was determined. I wanted to be part of combat missions. Then, one day, I visited a friend in a volunteer unit to write an article about them. We started talking, and I told him about my struggle to enlist in a combat role. That's when he suggested I join them. And that's how I became a drone operator."
Photo courtesy of Inna
How does it work?
Volunteer units have been active in Ukraine since 2014 when Russia first invaded Ukraine. Back then, when the government was disoriented and many regular military units were not fully combat-ready, volunteers became a lifeline.
"Let's not forget the Minsk agreements, which essentially restricted the legal operation of our military, but volunteer fighters could act where Ukraine's armed forces couldn't officially respond. This was crucial because it allowed us to defend ourselves and fight back, even if it was outside official structures," says Inna.
Today, just like back then, volunteer fighters are not legally recognized, but they coordinate their actions with the defense forces.
That's why the military often refers to this type of service as "semi-legal." When you join a volunteer unit, you are still considered a civilian rather than a soldier. However, this "semi-legal" status also comes with several advantages compared to serving in the regular army.
- One key advantage is the flexibility to join and leave a unit as needed.
For example, Maksym's unit has a system of monthly rotations. On average, a rotation lasts one week. This means that part of the team goes on a combat mission for a week and then returns to civilian life, alternating with the rest of the group.
This setup allows fighters to maintain a civilian job, serve in combat zones, and take time to recover. If they can't go, they can refuse. "You have a choice," says Maksym.
"My first combat mission made me realize how important this smooth transition between civilian and military life is. On our first day at the positions, we experienced everything — artillery fire, glide bombs, Grad rockets, drones. It was intense, but we completed our tasks effectively, and everyone made it back alive and well. That's when I saw firsthand how things really work," Maksym shares.
Coming home after that first mission was a shock. After a week of restrictions, constant stress, and danger, it was hard to switch back.
"I remember stepping outside — there was sunshine, people eating ice cream — and it all felt surreal. I struggled to adjust and kept thinking: if one week felt this tough, how do those who end up on the front unexpectedly and spend months there without a break bear it? That experience gave me a clear understanding of what to expect," he says.
Inna's unit had no set rotation schedule, but she could take a break when needed. She says she felt a strong need for rest after two months of service.
"We were on combat missions during the counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia front line, including the liberation of the village of Robotyne. Those two months were incredibly intense — constant shelling, lack of proper sleep, and adjusting to military life after being a civilian. At one point, I realized I needed a break, so I asked my commander for a month off. There was no problem getting it," Inna recalls.
- Another major advantage of volunteer units is that they aren't bound by government bureaucracy. According to the volunteers, this allows them to make decisions faster.
Photo courtesy of Inna
- There's a different team dynamic
Team interaction in volunteer units is different from regular military structures. Since these units are smaller, relationships tend to be more informal and friendly rather than strictly hierarchical. Each unit has a commander, but communication is less formalized.
"In volunteer battalions, for example, you don't need to say, 'Permission to speak, sir.' You can approach the commander and say, 'Hey, friend, can I ask you something?' There are far more important things than formalities. The atmosphere is more like a family, though everyone understands their responsibilities," says Inna.
- Volunteer battalions also give a chance to serve to those who wouldn't otherwise be drafted because of age, health, or long waiting times
"In our unit, we're all civilians with day jobs, but based on our capabilities, willingness, and financial resources, we decided to contribute more and take on combat tasks for specific military structures. We don't have military contracts, official assignments, or government provisions — just support from donors, crowdfunding, and our resources," Maksym explains.
However, he adds, these units don't operate blindly. They often work alongside regular military forces, filling in gaps where resources are lacking.
Inna says this also gives volunteer fighters a chance to work with different brigades and see which ones are effective and which aren't. So if they ever decide to enlist officially, they know where they'd want to serve.
Photo courtesy of Inna
- Gaining practical experience before enlisting.
Volunteering also allows people to test themselves and gain combat experience before committing to full military service.
"For me, it was a way to find out if I was suited for combat roles at all," says Inna. "At first, when I tried to join the Armed Forces or the National Guard, no one wanted to take me because of stereotypes — 'She's too skinny, what can she do?' However, after six months in a volunteer unit, I had real combat experience. That changed everything — commanders started choosing me based on my skills, not my appearance."
She describes volunteer units as a "demo version" of military service —a way to try different roles and figure out what fits best. It took Inna a few months to decide she wanted to be a drone operator. Before that, she was considering medical evacuation or other roles.
This kind of service also helps people experience the realities of war firsthand, including how their psyche reacts to constant danger. As Maksym points out, it's better to learn this in a volunteer unit than to sign a military contract and have a breakdown at a critical moment.
Does it really work?
One of the biggest challenges for volunteer military units is the lack of government funding. Since there is no salary, volunteer fighters need to have another job or a source of passive income that doesn't require their presence.
"I remember balancing my shifts in a volunteer unit with my work as a journalist," says Inna. "Our crews followed a 2/2 schedule for a while — two days on duty, two days off. And in those breaks between combat missions, I would take interviews and write articles with the sound of bombs exploding in the background. After all, I still had to make a living."
Most volunteer units rely on donations, sponsorships, and the personal funds of their members. However, when on duty, volunteer fighters are provided with food, medicine, and basic supplies for the duration of their rotation.
Another major drawback is the lack of social security. Volunteers aren't entitled to financial compensation in case of injury. Legally speaking, they are civilians who happened to be in a combat zone and got wounded. This also means they don't qualify for the benefits available to regular military personnel.
On top of that, volunteer fighters have no clear legal status, as Ukrainian law doesn't officially define the term.
"I never really felt like a 'real' soldier," Inna admits. "When people asked what I did, I would say I was volunteering because I didn't have official military status."
Because of these challenges, more and more volunteer formations are now moving toward legalization within the structures of the Interior Ministry, the Armed Forces, or the National Guard. Both Maksym and Inna decided to enlist officially.
Photo courtesy of Inna
Maksym says, "My motivation keeps growing. I see the impact of my work and feel truly involved. That's why I finally decided to sign a contract and serve as a soldier, not a civilian. Another reason is that, as a civilian, there are many missions you simply can't carry out legally. Official status grants access to crucial information and resources, significantly expanding what I can do."
Inna has also signed a contract and is now officially part of the military, but getting to this point wasn't easy — she constantly had to prove that she wasn't just a woman but a capable combatant, able to endure and complete challenging missions. The volunteer battalion helped her integrate and become part of the military structure.
"Now that I'm in the army, it's much easier than when I was a civilian trying to join. I already have experience, so I can quickly build relationships with instructors and fellow soldiers. My combat experience is also an advantage, making adaptation smoother. The volunteer unit helped me find my place in the military," she says.
That's why, Inna argues, legalizing the work of volunteer units is more crucial than ever. She believes that organizations like the Special Operations Forces or the Defense Intelligence should take responsibility for managing these groups. However, she warns that centralization must not turn into bureaucratic red tape. Anything that goes through the Ministry of Defense or other official structures tends to get bogged down in delays.
She is also concerned about potential peace agreements that could limit active combat operations.
"I joined the army to fight, not just to be on the roster. If they tell me, 'Stand by and wait for orders,' that's going to be a big problem. That's why I believe volunteer forces need to be centralized but in a way that preserves their composition, flexibility, and speed. That's the only way to make them truly effective," says Inna.
