From Welder To Soldier: The Ordinary Ukrainians Fighting Russia | Stacey Dooley: Ready For War?

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 saw more than half a million military personnel sprung into action on the frontlines of the conflict, but they aren't the only ones finding themselves in the fight. Alongside them, countless civilians who have signed up to join in the fight against Russia. Stacey Dooley meets a group of Ukrainians as they arrive in the UK to begin five weeks of intensive army training before their deployment to the frontline.
Stacey Dooley: Ready For War? airs on BBC Three on Wednesday 12 April at 9pm and will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am the same day.
Stacey Dooley: Ready For War?: In this one-off documentary for BBC Three and iPlayer, Stacey Dooley follows a group of Ukrainian civilians as they arrive in the UK to begin five weeks of intensive army training. With exclusive and unprecedented access to the British Army’s training mission, the recruits learn to survive and to be lethal, as they prepare for deployment to the frontline fighting against Russia.
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[@blackburnheart]

Private Pasha seems a very gentle and noble person. His bravery is humbling.

[@ditrower8104]

Heartbreaking. What amazing people. I hope they all return to their families.

[@evilleader1991]

There's nothing remarkable about those people, every nation has people who fight invaders/occupants. The only difference here is that Western media is on full blast propaganda simping for Ukrainians, while they called the same people for insurgents or terrorists when Iraqis and Afghans resisted Western occupiers. Ukrainian people are white so I guess the amount of military and economic support to them is unlimited. Imagine fighting a superpower with only AKs and flip-flops, Ukraine has it relatively easy because they're getting all the latest tech from Western countries + training. This is literally fighting in easy mode (compared to the brown middle-easterners fighting with scraps).

[@irishrebel374]

Heartbreaking lololol Boris knee-deep British been 8nvolved since 2003

[@Groose82]

@@irishrebel374Eejit.

[@irishrebel374]

@@Groose82 blood on Britains hands not mine

[@craighughes2191]

​@@irishrebel374🥔🤡

[@laurencehastings7473]

Thank you BBC for putting this video on KZbin.

[@soton5teve]

The programme is an hour

[@AISWIMING]

Thank you, Great Britain 🇬🇧 for helping Ukraine to be better prepared and armed for this horrible war. Thank you BBC for this heartbreaking story. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺

[@Roger-go6jc]

Heroyam Slava! Greetings also from Oz.

[@suburbanyobbo9412]

The UK pressured Ukraine not to enter into negotiations with Russia/LPR/DPR. This war could have been over months ago, but now Ukrainian teenagers are being forced to fight and die because the West doesn’t want a neutral Ukraine.

[@Vilayat_Khan]

british only help their own plan bro! ukraine is just part of the plan

[@kathleenmann7311]

Ditto 🇺🇸🫡

[@silverbullet2008bb]

Ukraine cannot win this war. It must stop now. It is white Christian slavs killing white Christian slavs for the benefit of WEF NWO banking cartel.

[@santokun5835]

Amazing documentary, BBC 🇺🇦🤝🇬🇧

[@tiernanwearen6624]

As a fellow welder I hope you salute you for service to your country. Long live free Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!

[@markdavis2475]

Aliia is amazing! She was pushing the guys harder than the instructors! There was a very emotional part of the film with her.

[@JustLikeSear]

When the ukrainian soldiers left the military base in that bus and this lad was speaking about his chances of surviving i had goose bumps all over my body. Really sad they have to fight this senseless war just because some mentally ill guy in moscow is throwing a tantrum.

[@fatdaddy1996]

Seriously educate yourself mate.

[@JustLikeSear]

@@fatdaddy1996 I have Balletboy

[@suburbanyobbo9412]

@@JustLikeSear >”Just because some mentally ill guy” You don’t understand what has caused this conflict. If you don’t like being called out for your ignorant, either seek an education or don’t make ignorant comments on the internet.

[@77sailordude]

​@@fatdaddy1996 aaah a well educated russian propaganda clown telling civilized people to educate them selves 💩🇷🇺🤡😂😂😂

[@Oblivisci........]

​@@fatdaddy1996 Seriously get up off your knees so you don't choke on Putin anymore.

[@williamleadbetter9686]

Reminds me of training before during and after Iraq. It may sound nuts to all of you but I miss it. I miss my fellow soldiers those that are gone and those I don't see anymore. I wanted to go fight with Ukraine so badly but my wife had a fit said i already had my war, but not a legitimate one. I would also be fine with not coming home. That's a soldiers lot & the best of them fight as if they are already dead. God be with them they will never be the same but they will always be heroes in the hearts of their people.

[@whoisme678]

You know, I think your wife may be right, but you don't have to be there to help. A good many fund raise. I imagine food and military equipment are needed. Not exactly sure how someone fund raises in the UK to send money there. Brave men are those who stand by others and defend their rights to life and everything else.

[@williamleadbetter9686]

@@whoisme678 I have paid for body armor and sent it over. For soldiers who were fighting with no protection. I have a Ukrainian friend who was former Spetnaz he is an interpreter for the British army. He tells me from time to time what his friends in country may need. I got a local Ukrainian Catholic Church to buy a bunch of military equipment from a Army Surplus for and Humanitarian goods and send it over.

[@evilleader1991]

So you are potentially willing to lose your life fighting for a country which is not yours after fighting an illegitimate war in Iraq? Maybe your life must suck because if you die then your whole family will be devastated.

[@johnv9681]

The gullible who went to fight for the Ukraine Nazi militias are probaly long since dead. It's a good job your wife has more sense than you have.

[@whoisme678]

@@williamleadbetter9686 Then your doing what you can and should be admired by friends and family for doing it. 👍 ✌ 🇺🇦

[@wonneproppen-jb2jm]

I am overwhelmed from the Spirit of these Guys and i hope they all will survive. SLAVA UKRAINE FROM GERMANY , GIVE EM HELL !

[@truthbsaid1600]

How do praise these heroes? There are no words. Our respect from the USA!

[@Roger-go6jc]

Slava Ukraini !

[@ibeetellingya5683]

I know what you mean, but technically, the words of praise for a ukrainian defenders is "Heroyem Slava" or "Glory to the Heroes"

[@wonneproppen-jb2jm]

So from Germany, Greets and best Wishes to the USA👋🇺🇦🇺🇸🇩🇪

[@AhmedAdly11]

USA respects no one.

[@00SamG]

“Nato/US cannon fodder” already lost more than US did in all of ww2 yet here we are happy to send these young men off to die. Not heroic if you have no choice. Have to pay for covid somehow tho

[@MaxKra]

What a hero of our times

[@eijmert]

using civillians to 'defend' a province that doesnt want to be part of ukraine? wow such heroes. dumb thing to die for

[@silverbullet2008bb]

They are going to die in a fools war they cannot win.

[@andrewwarren4206]

Go on boys. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦 Stay safe.

[@eijmert]

using civillians to 'defend' a province that doesnt want to be part of ukraine? wow such heroes. dumb thing to die for lmaoo

[@San-nah]

@@eijmert Typical Russian bot comment💩🤡

[@honved1]

@@eijmert Russians are dying for your dumb lies.

[@paulroustan3643]

Wow using the poor civilians a meat for a US proxy war with Russia, how heroic. We have armed and trained Ukraine to fight Russia, we have turned a blind eye to Ukraine Nazi problem, and for those who say there no Nazi in Ukraine, then put in the search bar "BBC Ukraine Nazi problem" We are arming and prolonging a civil war, we have turn a blind eye to ethnic cleansing, for those who don't know what ethnic cleansing is, well it's when one minority forces another minority to change its identity, and thats what been happening in Ukraine. A country where 80% spoke Russian, their language was banned, their religion has been banned, it's utterly disgusting that this is happening. If this isn't a argument to invade, then I don't know what you would call fabricating a story of weapons of mass destruction and invading a country? We are hypocrite, and have become every our forefathers fought against.

[@militantcapitalist4606]

@@eijmert take off, ruzz bot with ruzz fantasy naratives; better, take off to the front, wagner is hiring like crazy!

[@simokokko7550]

I hope that Pasha and his mates will make it alive. Brave men. Brave nation. Slava Ukraine!

[@Navigator2166]

What the British are doing in the training dept is truly “God’s work”. I don’t know how else to express it. They are doing all they can to save the lives of these Ukrainian heroes. My heart goes out to them all. May a victorious peace come to Ukraine soon. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇸🫶🇺🇦

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

Just don't ever forget... The British army behaved in the EXACT SAME WAY as russians when they invaded and occupied Ireland... Don't believe the Brits are god's work... They're capable of extreme cruelty too, butbour lads in Ireland gave the fascist Brits a good hiding. Thankfully, it seems us Irish taught the Brit boot boys how to conduct themselves properly.

[@luispedro1668]

Many other countries do it too

[@Navigator2166]

@@luispedro1668 Thank you! That is good to know. Praise and respect to all who help. This truly is an existential threat to all who believe in democracy. It will take many helping hands and hearts to prevail in this struggle for self-determination. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦🌎💪

[@rammlady6225]

Amazing men, they seem so cool and determined to return home to Ukraine and in their minds they ARE going to win! Bless them & Slava Ukraini! 🤗from🇸🇪to 🇺🇦🌻

[@lawis9313]

Unmeasurable thanks to all countries, soldiers, people who train and support our soldiers and country 💙💛

[@anttif.]

A huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to the British government, the British and all the people of the free world for supporting Ukraine in this unprovoked war. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!

[@stuartbennett7614]

Real men don't push weights act tough in a barfight , these are real men committed dedicated and realistic , ready to give and accept violence, trained by the finest infantry in the world , fight hard boys

[@rikkafe6050]

Thank you for this honest and heartfelt piece of reporting. You have shone a light on the awful reality of the Ukrainian situation and what the people have to endure. I feel at times the truly tragic and desperate nature of the Ukrainian peoples fight has become lost in the swirl of political machinations and youtube remoteness. These civilians forced to be soldiers show courage beyond compare. My thoughts are with them all.

[@alanhargreaves-thevoiceofr2361]

'honest' is not the word to describe this . . . . .

[@craighughes2191]

​@alanhargreaves-thevoiceofr2361 How would you describe it Mr Hargreaves?

[@Oblivisci........]

​@@alanhargreaves-thevoiceofr2361 "The voice of reason." 🤡🤡🤡

[@alanhargreaves-thevoiceofr2361]

@@craighughes2191 fake

[@craighughes2191]

@@alanhargreaves-thevoiceofr2361 orc 🤡

[@jeffsiegwart]

Thank you for making the war more real!

[@MarcinMoka1]

Thank you 🇬🇧. So thankful you can share your legendary British training with these defenders..

[@MarkPhilp1970]

Outstanding bunch of lads. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

[@ph6560]

Woow, now _that_ was an unusually well-made and impactful piece of mini-documentary about the Ukraine war. Kudos!

[@luciussander8217]

Such brave men. Watching the full documentary was quite moving. Ukraine must win this war against evil. I hope all the Ukrainian soldiers can eventually return to their loved ones and their civilian lives. God bless and protect them all.

[@mikeroo8736]

Well done you men of Ukraine.....you heroes.....one and all....best wishes from your supporters in Ireland

[@tugdumbly1927]

It’s not the dog in the fight, but rather the fight in the dog. Everyone of these folks is motivated to the max. They know EXACTLY what’s required of them. As do all the other countries near them.

[@colinraine8245]

Took me back to 1985 when l was doing basic training... the big difference though when these lads finish they are sent straight to a war zone .. One of the best documentaries I've ever seen ... true hero's and lovely bunch of people..no wonder it's so difficult for the british staff who have to say goodbye and a big shout out to the young Ukranian interpreter she is having to absorb so many emotions ... l hope she is very well rewarded at least with a BEM or MBE

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

They ask for nothing but for the invading Russians to leave. All they need to do is return to the borders agreed upon between both countries in 1991. I'm glad we're helping a country defend itself from a war of aggressive conquest.

[@scottjoseph9821]

I agree aswell this why these people need all the help they can get

[@blackmantis3130]

You know very well that the borders of 1991 will not be the agreed upon again

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

@@blackmantis3130 Ukraine is still justified in fighting for that land as much as possible as it's their land. Naturally the end result is to eventually be decided by Ukrainian and Russian negotiations depending on what has been decided on the battlefield. Until then we must still support Ukraine as a sovereign country defending its borders.

[@blackmantis3130]

@@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures I have no problem with supporting Ukraine. Am saying what's happening is deeper than just 24th February invasion

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

@@blackmantis3130 Sorry if I jumped a bit there!

[@danielfourie5500]

Thanks Great Britain for at least trying to give these troops some insight and hope as well as proper training this may give these guys some chance

[@maryhinge128]

Slava Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!

[@cosplayshop]

As a young captain (well, not really that young) that deployed to Afghan back in 2006, you know his solider is in good hand with Pasha when the lady reporter Stacey said "I can't imagine have to accept something as that but I am not in your position, how could I" And Pasha said "And I hope that you will not be, never" That's what I would have said, and as a leader, you need to understand that you not just there because of you, and you need to take care of people who is under your command, you need to have empathy toward other and that is what this exchange show,

[@WastelandSurvival2]

Strongest people in the world.

[@paulfletcher3998]

You've got to love Stacy. She always shows the human side of things. Plus she's got balls of steel, so to speak.

[@stephenclues2948]

May God bless these brave men fighting against evil.

[@thedustyhead]

God Bless Them All !

[@sparrenburger2804]

Putting the trigger wouldn't be a Problem for me, but orientation on the battlefield, sitting waiting and thinking in a trench, that would be a problem to me. What these people do is unbeliveable! Be careful! They deserve much more help from us! 💙💛

[@ThatManInASuit]

Poor blokes. Good luck to them all, slava Ukraini.

[@JCStaling]

Beautifully done, the documentary and the men.

[@mekhedashow]

Thank you, Britain! Thank you!

[@Aindriuh]

Well done the Vikings for training them well.

[@annrosenkranz847]

Profiles in courage and commitment. Awe inspiring.

[@Sara-fd7cf]

Really hope they can stay safe and go back to their families with the victory.

[@preserveourpbfs7128]

Amazing work and story

[@Chillgazza]

Bloody proud of all involved. Stay safe.

[@NguyenVinh-di6rl]

Thank BBC for the documentary ❤

[@TimeTheory2099]

Thanks BBC. 👍 Vary nice documentary.

[@MusicShortsGlobal]

This is not enough. In time of war, we need even more courage.

[@James-jl4jt]

What incredible bravery at the end

[@benalba7192]

So surreal, at one time they were living normal peaceful life like the rest of us, then this war was forced into them. Only because of a one MAD deranged man. My hope🙏you make it home Pasha, for your mom and your dad but most of all, once this is over, you get on with the normal life you had before this started.

[@sherrillwhately7586]

Made me cry 😢

[@martijnijsendoorn6911]

Respect!

[@paulmorgan3600]

🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇧🇺🇦 god bless the Ukrainian hero's from friends in Great Britain 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇺🇦🇬🇧🇬🇧🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@chriswharton9092]

Well done this young journalist. Story well told.

[@kherwinmateo2878]

Who was that blue eyed warrior goddess? ❤

[@dokasaku1233]

Every welder or anybody who works in construction is potentially a fine soldier. At least they`re physically fit for combat

[@michaeljohnson5365]

I could watch Stacey all day

[@catalinegreanu]

Great report 👍 Thank you! SLAVA UKRAINA 🇷🇴🇺🇦❤️💪💪💪👍😠

[@nunoaquiles81]

True heroes.

[@csmeinert]

Great documentary. We British were faces with exactly the same dilemmas, challenges and choices in 1939.

[@yellowtomato]

It's quite the same. Many apologists of Russia now too.

[@silverbullet2008bb]

Hitler made over 20 peace offers from 1933 to 1940. Churchill declined them all. WW2 did nobody any good.

[@flexe007]

Thanks from germany to our british allies for training our ukrainian brothers in arms!

[@dazmalski]

Massive respect to Pasha and the other guys ready to put their lives on the line to protect their country.

[@taupoesera]

😢😢😢 I feel those people, bless God help you guy for sure

[@clemensfrick1771]

Id love a follow up with these heroes, if that's possible somehow.

[@gwapoako7775]

Tnx UK

[@natbirchall1580]

So great what the UK is doing

[@erhandag9682]

Good luck to the brave fighters of Ukraine and thank you so much UK greetings from Turkey

[@omtdrvr42]

Bleibt gesund. GOOD Luck

[@jansvensob6407]

Get them the best possible weapons -- and in massive quantities!

[@uzytkownikTT]

God luck, guys! Regards from Poland.

[@shoelessjoe428]

Go home Russia! This war is pointless. :(

[@pbungee]

Putin has been. Asking Ukraine to stop shelling its own population since 2014 in the Dombas. I wonder who provided them money and the ammo for this?

[@evilleader1991]

Russia is already at home :)

[@roastedicons1234]

It is there home dummy

[@yellowtomato]

Russia not at home, needs to go back over their borders. No one wants them there.

[@michelmilaneh8963]

​@@evilleader1991 the only russians who are home are the people 6 ft under

[@noelle3551]

I would like to see a follow up on Pasha!

[@brucelamberton8819]

This way a very good documentary. It's a pity most people in other countries can't view it on iPlayer as everyone needs to know of the commitment and sacrifice of ordinary Ukrainians. Slava Ukraini!

[@Angry.Canuck]

Imagine training men for combat... knowing some of them will never return home. The training they're getting is so important. Instructors must be proud to be doing this job.

[@anipanim4310]

brave lads, HEROIAM SLAVA

[@robertsingleton7694]

This really gets to the point of what a country and its people are prepared to do to protect their country. Let us remember this is required because an ageing man in Russia wants to be remembered for restoring the Soviet Union.

[@Thespiansewist]

THIS IS THE GOOD FIGHT

[@aloishager4370]

good luck boys !!!🇺🇦

[@marcopalazzo9349]

I for one am proud to be paying my taxes to support the heroes.

[@donlucchese7280]

"Hasta la vista Pasha!"

[@georgehuang9947]

Slava Ukraine!

[@kayleighackers3487]

Truly Heartbreaking. I Turly Hope They Get To Return To Their Waiting Families Safe & Sound. I Wish Each Individual Who Took The Bold & Heroic Decision to fight for their country 🇺🇦 The Very Best To get the Russians out Which I Hope They Do. The Countries of the world need to put Putin on trial For This Horrendous Act Of Pure Evilness. I Turly Hope this war will come to an end shortly & the men & women fighting for Ukraine 🇺🇦 get to go home to their families & start to rebuild their lives. I hope the aid the British & Americans & the other countries are involved in sending Ukraine Much Needed War Materials Will Carry On Doing So & Give Them The Proper War Materials So Ukraine Has The Upper Hand Of Ending This War & Getting The Russians Out!!! As these important war materials are vital in the Ukraines pushing out the Russians. Also like in this video vital training conducted by the British to the fresh individuals who have not had military training but are willing to fight & put their life on the line For Their Country, Family & Friends. Also they will be coming from this training & going to the front lines in The Ukraine War. So I Hope That Britain keeps This Training Up For As Long As It Takes As it's vital as it's life & death training & Thankfully they are being trained by the Best Soliders Of The British Army & Given The Best Possible Training The British Military Can Give them in Such A Small Space Of Time!!! The Russians Will Get out of Ukraine 🇺🇦 By Everyone Helping & Standing Up & Beside Ukraine. As Ukraine Took the stand against the russians unvaders when they came & Ukraine decided to stand & fight even though at the time they were unprepared so that shows the true determination of the Ukrainian People. Also Especially When Ukraine Did Not Do Anything To Provoke The russians In Doing This Horrific Act. Its a classic Hilter Move In Where A Dictator of A Country Feels he can walk into any country & take it & what he wants. Once again nothing has been learnt from history & we have the same repeat patterns of past history. So We Must Help Ukraine. Sending Much Love ❤️To Ukraine 🇺🇦 From 🇬🇧

[@lupusdeum3894]

More heroes

[@giovannifontanetto9604]

We do what must be done.

[@Kazuya720]

It must also hard for the Brits, to educate this men, knowing them better, and also know that many of them will not survive this :/

[@elveheim]

Hope she makes a follow up with the guys after the war is won.

[@j.davidbogue3961]

Beautiful people forced into terrible conditions. 😔 SLAVA UKRAINI!!! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@NoSuffix]

Freedom is not free!

[@jawonlee7807]

You might not have children, but you are still a child of someone. There shall be sacred cause of defending your country in the war, but nothing is more glory than you coming back safe back home hugging your mom and dad, chilling with your friends again. Be safe. Peace to Ukraine...

[@TheGeeoff]

I'm considering getting a VPN just to watch the full video. Really impressive. But why isn't the whole thing uploaded to KZbin???

[@luciussander8217]

It's on BBC iPlayer and a very good watch. Quite moving too.

[@TheConfederate1863]

And we are moaning because the gas is more expensive while these brave people do all this….

[@Hukkinen]

It's not pulling the trigger that's the worst challenge.. It's quite trivial to prepare for. But instead, what are the preconditions for PTSD? - Loss of security and control, loosing your friends etc. Do a documentary on that.. And what aspects can you prepare for and what not and why? How do modern armies prevent PTSD? Is it an uphill battle or what kind of progress has been made? What are the do's and don'ts?

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

There are documentaries on it and its been talked about in the british army since at least bosnia, there we were encouraged to talk about the horrible sights seen as soon as possible and in detail. Lots of documentaries about the falklands war and ptsd you can find

[@garylee9920]

wish you greater success🎉Ukraine🇺🇦👏❤

[@hardstyle8184]

Wow.... touching and emotional segment....

[@themsmloveswar3985]

In the immortal words of Pete Seeger "Where have all the flowers gone ?"

[@johnconner4695]

God Speed

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

All understandable. Nobody wants to be rules by Russia

[@lesgl]

''Keep off the skyline''

[@jessicaaguilar6435]

May this nasty war end now! Slava Ukraine!

[@Thehermderm]

Wait was anyone else confused or was it just me? At the end did he say because pasha and another guy stepped up to command and lead that they recommended when they get back to Ukraine to not be promoted?? I watched it 3 times and even turned sub titles on like I understand if you don’t think they’ll be good leaders but regardless they stepped up during training to be an example and help others so why would you not recommend a promotion just because of that??

[@Adonnus100]

"That they'll be now put forward for a command" you are not hearing it correctly.