Michael Dumler, an American photographer, went to Ukraine to document the war. But when he arrived, he put down his camera and devoted himself to addressing a more pressing need: training ordinary Ukrainians how to fight.
The struggle to raise an army of citizen soldiers against the Russian army was a defining feature of the conflict in Ukraine. Western nations allied with Ukraine have been hesitant to support and fund foreign trainers inside the country due to concerns that it would lead to escalation. Instead, tens of thousands of soldiers were sent elsewhere in Europe for training.
But in the Opinion Video above, Dumler argues that the most practical approach to training newly joined Ukrainians is within Ukraine’s borders. And the need is vast.
“Bringing in another two hundred qualified teachers won’t increase anything,” says Dumler. “It will only save Ukrainian lives.”