A Ukrainian brigade commander told DW about his experiences with the recently drafted. He spoke on condition of anonymity.

“I actually had the privilege of being able to choose my own men,” he reported. “But some came with no teeth or they had tuberculosis — even at the training center!”

Kyrylo, whodidn’t want to share his real name either, is another recent recruit who was drafted earlier this year. While at the draft board, he says he saw homeless people with swollen legs, drug addicts and alcoholics.