In a secret location in the forest, in western Ukraine, uniformed fighters jump out of cars and open fire with dummy bullets.
The shouts in Ukrainian are accompanied by calls in Hebrew by IDF reserve officers.
Almost all training is already conducted by Ukrainian instructors, who until a few months ago were citizens for everything.
Israelis mostly watch the performance with pleasure, and occasionally make a professional remark or throw in a good word.
Under the radar, and in a highly politically sensitive climate, Israeli officers are working in reserve in Ukraine - all as part of private initiatives, regardless of state, and the vast majority volunteering out of faith in the justice of the Ukrainian struggle.
"The progress they have made here is simply astonishing," says A., a former senior officer in an elite IDF unit.
"I went through a five-day training program here," says Natalia (pseudonym), who usually works as a school principal in a nearby city.
"Each volunteer can choose which program to join - from a basic two-day training to a more advanced 18-day training."
In a bunker instead of in high-tech
The combat civilians, the vast majority of whom did not hold a rifle until a few days ago, are embedded in the district's regional defense units which are supposed to greet the Russian army if and when it arrives here.
At the same time, some of them are already volunteering to go to the active fronts in the east and south of the country.
"Until a few months ago, I worked as a chief technology officer (CTO) at a high-tech company in which I was a partner," says Miguel (pseudonym), a 29-year-old software engineer from Lvov.
"My big fear is that if the war does not end in the coming months, my American partners will lose patience and expel me from society."
The facility in the forest is reminiscent of a Western training base: the warriors' equipment is new and of a high standard, and some of the flags are sewn with US flags.
Military equipment also flows here from Israel in small quantities and through unofficial channels - mainly protective equipment such as helmets and snipers, along with equipment for training in emergency medicine.
Inside the forest, the Ukrainians dug bunkers that are now used for training, but when the day comes - which everyone hopes will not come - may also be used in guerrilla warfare against the Russian army.
"We just want to get back to routine and take off the uniform," Miguel says, "but if there is no choice we will wear them for as long as it takes."
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us
