UK expands training for Ukrainian forces
The UK training programme for the Ukrainian armed forces will see further expansion, the UK Ministry of Defence announced on 11 August.
Under the enhanced programme, the troops will be trained in additional skills to develop ground threat awareness, such as identifying improvised explosive devices and mines. The programme will also include additional skills for urban defensive operations, engineering expertise and operational planning.
The existing training programme has already provided medical, infantry, logistics and tactical intelligence training to around 1,000 Ukrainian troops since March. The ministry plans to train around 250 personnel in August alone in additional medical, infantry and survival skills.
Michael Fallon, UK Defence Secretary, said: ‘Our training programme for the Ukrainian armed forces continues to be well-received and highly valued by troops and commanders in the east of the country.
‘Since March, 13 UK training teams have deployed across eight locations and we expect to have trained around 2,000 members of the Ukrainian armed forces by the end of the year.
‘By adding further much-needed skills and stepping up the pace of our programme we can provide more and better training, improving the resilience of Ukrainian forces and further reducing casualties resulting from the on-going conflict.’
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