LONDON: The first batch of 10,000 inexperienced Ukrainian military recruits, set to train in the UK in the coming months, have begun exercises. Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Saturday.
The new British-led program involves 1,050 UK service personnel training Ukrainian volunteers with little military experience at MoD sites across England for several weeks.
Crash Course is based on basic UK soldier training, including weapons handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, patrol tactics and the laws surrounding armed conflict.
It follows the UK’s Operation Orbital – inspired by Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine – which trained 22,000 Ukrainians in the military between 2015 and 2022.
“This ambitious new training program is the next step in supporting UK Armed Forces of Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression,” Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement, after visiting the latest recruits this week.
“Using world-class expertise British Army We will help Ukraine rebuild its military and increase its resistance as they defend their country’s sovereignty and their right to choose their future.”
Strong opposition to Ukraine continues after Russian President Vladimir Putin In February ordered the latest offensive against its western neighbor.
Britain has proven to be one of Ukraine’s most staunch allies, providing £2.3 billion ($2.8 billion) in military aid, including more than 5,000 NLAW anti-tank weapons and the M270 multiple launch rocket system.
The new British-led program involves 1,050 UK service personnel training Ukrainian volunteers with little military experience at MoD sites across England for several weeks.
Crash Course is based on basic UK soldier training, including weapons handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, patrol tactics and the laws surrounding armed conflict.
It follows the UK’s Operation Orbital – inspired by Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine – which trained 22,000 Ukrainians in the military between 2015 and 2022.
“This ambitious new training program is the next step in supporting UK Armed Forces of Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression,” Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement, after visiting the latest recruits this week.
“Using world-class expertise British Army We will help Ukraine rebuild its military and increase its resistance as they defend their country’s sovereignty and their right to choose their future.”
Strong opposition to Ukraine continues after Russian President Vladimir Putin In February ordered the latest offensive against its western neighbor.
Britain has proven to be one of Ukraine’s most staunch allies, providing £2.3 billion ($2.8 billion) in military aid, including more than 5,000 NLAW anti-tank weapons and the M270 multiple launch rocket system.