Defence intelligence professionals give lessons
June 8, 2010 // "Holos Ukrainy"
Professionals from the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine organized a training course for Ukrainian Media workers.
Ukrainian Media has been working in various flashpoints around the globe from the very first years after Ukraine regained its independence. Their work is mainly related to covering the peacekeeping activities wherever the Ukrainian troops are deployed, and is also needed to provide timely reporting of the situation in the world’s unstable regions to the Ukrainian public.
As answer to multiple appeals filed by Ukraine’s top TV channels, the DIU command decided to organize a specialized training course for a limited group of reporters, considering the high risks that they face during their work in flashpoints and their obvious need for specialized survival skills.
A group of civilian reporters had to be taught a wide range of specialized survival techniques while the time to do so was very limited, creating quite a challenge for the DIU staff.
This was first-ever such event in the history of Ukraine. “Holos Ukrainy” photographer Olexandr Klymenko and a number of Ukrainian reporters were given a unique opportunity of learning survival techniques from experienced DIU instructors.
A thoroughly-prepared training program included mixed training sessions aimed at teaching the participants how to set up area for rest, orient themselves and move without a map, fire light weapons, make fire, find food and water, administer first aid. In addition, course attendees studied hand-to-hand combat techniques.
All classes were held on a tight schedule day and night under heavy physical and mental pressure. Reporters lived in conditions similar to those that they are likely to face in an emergency: classes took place regardless to heat and frequent showers; journalists lived in shelters they built themselves, ate food they found, and treated their injuries with medical plants.
The participants were given a comprehensive test assignment on the last day of the event in order to demonstrate the knowledge they gained and the skills they mastered, which they did with an A plus. It must be said that every participant withstood the pressure and successfully tackled every challenge prepared for them.
The course completed successfully. It underscored the high level of training of Ukrainian reporters and the professionalism of the Defence Intelligence personnel.
Olexandr Klymenko
