Ukrainian civilians are attending military trainings and workout sessions to prepare for an expected influx of draft notices ahead of a spring offensive

• The Ukrainian Army needs more soldiers ahead of an anticipated spring offensive.
• Some civilians are participating in military trainings to prepare for possibly being drafted.

Ukraine is seeking an influx of new soldiers ahead of a much-anticipated spring counteroffensive, prompting anxiety and preparations among the country's not-yet-mobilized men.

The Ukrainian Army is in need of more manpower following heavy casualties sustained during the months-long, ongoing battle of Bakhmut in the east, where both Russia and Ukraine continue to rack up mounting losses.

The country does not disclose its casualties, but Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, estimated earlier this year that Ukraine had suffered more than 100,000 losses since the war began in February 2022.

More manpower is needed — and soon — to boost Ukraine's expected counteroffensive, which is likely to be built around experienced troops utilizing promised Western equipment expected to arrive in the coming months.

Ukrainian civilians, as a result, are starting to realize that they may soon be drafted, according to a Washington Post report.

"We need to understand if the war lasts another year, we're all going to be in the army," Sasha, 35, a casting director who is taking private military training courses to prepare for the possibility that he is conscripted, told the outlet.

At the onset of the war, Ukraine initiated martial law, barring nearly all men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. Under the country's current mobilization rules, almost any man within that range can be called up to fight. Exceptions are made for students, some parents, caretakers, and the medically unfit.

The Ukrainian army thus far has relied heavily on volunteers who are eager to defend their home following Russia's unprompted invasion. But as the volunteer pool starts to run dry, the country appears to be more aggressively pursuing those who have yet to throw their hat in the ring, according to the Post.

Recent changes to draft notice laws in the country now allow officials more power in stopping and questioning men about their draft status, instead of only being allowed to deliver summons notices to civilians' residences.

The Post spoke to one man, Oleksii Kruchukov, 46, a washing machine repairman, who said he was ordered to report to a recruitment office in Kyiv after he was involved in a street fight. He told the outlet that he anticipates being sent to the frontlines following his military training.

Another man, Oleksandr Kostiuk, 52, told the newspaper that he was willing to fight if necessary, but he fears for his life: "Now we understand what's going on, so I'm more nervous," he said.

Some civilians are taking matters into their own hands and undergoing preparations ahead of what they believe will be an inevitable call-up. The Post observed several men engaging in military trainings and workout sessions in an abandoned warehouse in Kyiv with the hopes of getting a head-start on training that may one day save their lives.

"I'm 100% sure I'll be drafted sooner or later," Sasha, the casting director, told the Post, citing the spring counteroffensive. "I'm literally forcing myself because I understand it might happen."

Still, Sasha expressed a fear that no amount of training will make him ready for combat.

One enlisted leader in the field told the outlet that recently arrived troops do seem to be lacking the necessary level of training for the frontlines, lamenting the soldiers' inability to even properly dig a trench.