Although he is not on the front lines of the conflict, Ukrainian paramedic Vselovod Dorofeev understands that the work he is doing — teaching people how to save lives — is as vital.

Dorofeev, a member of the Ukrainian volunteer paramedic group Hospitallers, was recently in Kyiv teaching civilians in battlefield first-aid ahead of their deployment to Ukraine’s front lines in the fight against Russian forces.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the group has assisted in the training of hundreds of individuals. Dorofeev told CTV National News’ National Affairs Correspondent Omar Sachedina that while he is not currently involved in the fight, he still has a significant role to play.

Who will instruct this guy if I am on the front lines? “I believe it’s vital as well,” he added.

With the conflict now in its second month, Russia has redeployed many of its soldiers from key cities like Kyiv to Ukraine’s eastern Donbas area, where insurgents in Donetsk and Luhansk have been battling Ukrainian troops since 2014.

According to Western sources who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, Russia has made gradual progress in the Donbas, earning only “minimal advances” by taking villages and small towns.

According to them, some Russian forces have relocated from the beleaguered southern port city of Mariupol, which is located along the Sea of Azov, to other sections of the Donbas.

Around 2,000 Ukrainian military and 1,000 civilians are still holed up at Mariupol’s last stronghold, the Azovstal steel complex.

Dorofeev told CTV National News that his greatest desire for his nation is that individuals remain firm and that other countries assist Ukraine by assisting Ukrainian refugees or giving weaponry.