Body armour, VR helmet and machine gun: how the Ukrainian Armed Forces prepare mobilised people for combat virtually and in reality
Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are undergoing training under the BZVP (unit platoon combat coordination) programme at the 242nd Unit Training Centre. And it begins not with marching and trenches, but with VR simulators. First, mobilised citizens learn the technique of firing large-calibre weapons virtually, and only then practice it in the field.
The simulator on which the soldier in the photo is working is part of a modern training system that allows you to learn how to shoot, adjust fire and work with complex weapons systems in a safe environment. Everything is done in a VR helmet, complete with a machine gun simulator that conveys a sense of weight and dynamics.
This approach has several advantages: it is safe, cheaper than live fire, and most importantly, it allows soldiers to do dozens of exercises without risk or ammunition costs. According to the General Staff, after completing the VR stage, the military move on to the real training ground, having already gained basic confidence in their actions.
The training is virtual, but the training is very real. And yes, in 2025, even the army is already living with VR - but only to survive and win more effectively.
Source: Facebook page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
