From March 25 to 27, a three-day regional patriotic training program titled “Learning to Defend” (“Police Officer”) was held in Kropyvnytskyi for high school students from the Donetsk region at the Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs. The project brought together 50 students in grades 10–11 from nine local communities in the region who are currently residing in safer parts of Ukraine.
Oleksandr Shevchenko, Deputy Head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, participated in the event. He greeted the participants and emphasized the importance of such training for shaping Ukrainian national and civic identity.
“Today, such events are the building blocks of our national resilience. We are creating a unified space where each of you understands your role in defending and building Ukraine,” noted Oleksandr Shevchenko.
The training program was designed to closely mirror the actual rhythm of cadet life. Over the course of three days, the high school students mastered the basics of firearms and first aid training, UAV operation, teamwork skills through psychological training sessions and quests, as well as elements of drill training and physical fitness.
The event was organized by the Donetsk Regional State Administration in collaboration with Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs as part of the celebrations marking the university’s 65th anniversary. Oleksandr Shevchenko thanked the university’s rector, Serhiy Vitvitsky, for giving the youth of Donetsk the opportunity to feel like part of the larger law enforcement family and to gain essential life skills.
The training served not only as practical instruction but also as an important step in shaping conscious and responsible young people. The discipline, composure, and leadership qualities gained will form a solid foundation for the participants’ professional futures, regardless of the path they choose.