By Dan PeleschukKYIV (Reuters) - A year after the founding commander of Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion was killed fighting Russian forces, his portrait adorns an airy new recruitment office in Kyiv casting a watchful eye over would-be members.
With its military ranks wearing thin, Ukraine is struggling to overhaul mobilisation and broaden recruitment as the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches.
For the Da Vinci Wolves, led by war hero Dmytro "Da Vinci" Kotsiubailo until his death near the eastern town of Bakhmut last March, it means relying on a well-honed public image to attract new recruits.
'THE BEST'The Da Vinci Wolves have received more than 1,000 applications and are seeking around 500 new members, Filimonov said.
Candidates include Anatoliy Kvasha, 48, who said he wanted a greater say over where he ended up after facing bureaucratic headaches at his local draft office.
Persons:
Dan Peleschuk, Ukraine's Da, Dmytro, Da, Kotsiubailo, Serhii Filimonov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Filimonov, Anatoliy Kvasha, Kvasha, Kyrychenko, Anna Voitenko, Timothy Heritage, Toby Chopra
Organizations:
Dan Peleschuk KYIV, Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, Da Vinci Wolves, Vinci Wolves, 59th Motorized Brigade, Reuters, Separate Assault Brigade, Service
Locations:
Kyiv, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Russian, Lviv