UK expanding military training for Ukrainian soldiers
Photo from the training of Ukrainian service members in Great Britain, posted on Twitter by the British Ministry of Defence
The UK will significantly expand the training program for the Ukrainian military, increasing the training to tens of thousands of soldiers, Sky News learned.
The combat course has been extended from three to five weeks, and most of the training will continue to take place in the UK, away from the threat of russian missile strikes.
Around 4,700 troops have been trained at military bases in the north, southwest, and southeast of England since training began in June. Commanders intend to continue the support until Ukraine needs more troops to fight russia's invasion.
Military instructors from eight other countries, including New Zealand, Sweden, and the Netherlands, have teamed up with their British counterparts for an extended training mission.
UK's Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said it demonstrated "our shared resolve to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine."
Mr. Wallace said the training course had "developed rapidly, and we are now extending it to five weeks to provide the best possible preparation for Ukrainian soldiers who will soon be in active combat operations."
"We must do everything we can to help them defend their homes against this illegal and unprovoked Russian invasion and will continue to do so for as long as it takes. We stand with Ukraine," the minister emphasized.
Wallace has already visited the training sites of the Ukrainian military four times. In particular, the last visit took place on Friday.
A British Ministry of Defense source indicated that "many politicians have been distracted by a summer leadership competition," and the defence secretary "only cares about keeping Ukrainians in their fight for national survival."
If, as expected, Liz Truss becomes the new prime minister, Ben Wallace will retain his position as defense secretary.
The main course offered by Britain is based on basic infantry training. It includes weapons handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, and patrol tactics.
The additional two weeks will allow for more advanced training, such as trench and urban warfare, vehicle-mounted operations, and battlefield training in simulated combat.
The training is conducted by elements from the British Army's 11 Security Force Assistance Brigade and the RAF Regiment, alongside international instructors.
Other countries participating in the training program to help Ukraine comprise Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Lithuania.
Reference
The training program for the Ukrainian military on British territory was offered to Volodymyr Zelensky by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his June visit to Kyiv. Then the prime minister specified that the military of the United Kingdom could provide training for up to 10,000 Ukrainian service members every 120 days.
In July, Boris Johnson attended training for the Ukrainian military and participated in the exercises himself.
