They did have something similar to a draft mode. It’s been a while since I played but you would build a deck from a series of options, usually 3 cards or 3 synergized subsets of cards, and this would repeat 15(?) times. Then when the deck is built you queue against other constructed decks.
People would just reset a run if their drafted deck didn’t come together.
Massive swell of people to make any progress to have something to campaign with for Putin’s re-election. Ukraine has been generally running low on artillery and can’t fully capitalize on countering large unit offenses. The Ukrainians have a lot of western equipment but are low on funds to supply them.