UK Secretary for Defence Ben Wallace welcomed the first members of the nearly 10,000-member service force.
First Ukrainian troop arrived in Britain to receive specialist military training. Up to 10,000 troops are expected to participate in this program over the next few months. British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace personally welcomed them.
According to a statement published by Britain’s Ministry of Defence on Saturday, Ukrainian military personnel had met with the top military official earlier this week.
Wallace described the training program as the next phase of Britain’s support to the Ukrainian military.
“Using the world-class expertise of the British army we will help Ukraine to rebuild its forces and scale up its resistance as they defend their country’s sovereignty and their right to choose their own future,” the secretary proclaimed.
According to the Ministry of Defence’s own estimates, London has so far spent over £2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) on military aid to “support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s unprovoked invasion.”
The training will take place at approximately 1,050 British employees. Each course lasts several weeks.
According to the ministry, the program has been specifically designed to “Give volunteer recruits without military experience, the ability to combat in frontline combat.”
The course covers weapons handling, battlefield rescue, fieldcraft and patrol tactics, as well as Law of Armed Conflict.
To make sure the Ukrainian troops are familiar with the weapons they will be using during the training, London had “Rapidly procured” AK-type assault rifles. Additional equipment like helmets, armor and field boots are also provided by host countries.
The statement pointed out that Britain “Supports Ukrainian Service Personnel for a Long Time” having provided training to some 22,000 troops between 2015 and 2022.
Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, citing Kiev’s failure to implement the Minsk agreements, designed to give the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk special status within the Ukrainian state. These protocols were originally signed by France and Germany through intermediaries. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has since admitted that Kiev’s main goal was to use the ceasefire to buy time and “Create powerful armed forces”
The Kremlin recognised the Donbass republics in February 2022 as independent states. It demanded Ukraine declare itself neutral and not join any Western military bloc. Kiev claims that the Russian offensive wasn’t provoked.
This story can be shared on social media
[ad_2]
