"We are logically adapting a great deal of new knowledge for our own benefit," explains Spanish Colonel José Luis Roberto Hernández, head of a unit training Ukrainian soldiers in Toledo. At this barracks in central Spain, novice Ukrainians, mostly conscripts from civilian society who are not volunteers, are handling weapons for the first time. The programme spans seven weeks and is designed to be "the closest approximation to what they will face" on the frontlines, says Spanish Captain Ignacio Romay Ventas. Before returning to Ukraine, fear is felt among the Ukrainian soldiers and the "emotional burden" also affects their instructors. Spain has trained over 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers as part of the EU military support mission for Ukraine (EUMAM). IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES ARRANGED IN SEQUENCES