As the British Ministry of Defense reported on July 9, 2022, the first group of Ukrainian servicemen participating in a new large-scale military training program under the leadership of the British armed forces arrived in the UK. As part of this program, up to 10,000 Ukrainian servicemen will be trained in the coming months.
Ukrainian servicemen undergoing training under the new British program at the British Army facility near Manchester, 07.07.2022 (c) Louis Wood / The Sun / PA
A press release from the UK Ministry of Defense says that this program is part of the UK's ongoing commitment to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia's unprovoked invasion. These commitments currently amount to more than 2.3 billion pounds in military assistance and include, among other things, the supply of more than 5,000 NLAW anti-tank systems and the transfer of M270 MLRS multiple rocket launchers.
British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, who attended this training this week, said:
This ambitious new training program is the next stage of the UK's support for the armed forces of Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression.
Using the experience of the world-class British army, we will help Ukraine to restore its strength and strengthen the resistance, as Ukrainians defend the sovereignty of their country and their right to choose their future.
About 1,050 British troops have been deployed for the initial phase of the program, which will take place at Ministry of Defense facilities in the north-west, south-west and south-east of the UK. Each training course will last several weeks and will be conducted by military personnel from the 11th British Security Assistance Brigade.
The training will give volunteer recruits with virtually no military experience the skills necessary for effective combat on the front line. Based on the basic training of British soldiers, the course covers the handling of weapons, first aid on the battlefield, field skills, patrol tactics and legal aspects of armed conflict.
The British government quickly purchased AK submachine guns for the training program, and this means that Ukrainian soldiers can train with weapons that they will use on the front line. These efforts were supported by the Welsh Guards Regiment, which tested more than 2,400 of these submachine guns in 17 days to make sure they were ready to start training Ukrainians.
The UK also transfers uniforms and equipment without delay to support Ukrainian soldiers in their training and return to Ukraine. Each serviceman is issued:
Personal protective equipment, including protective helmets, body armor, eye protection, headphones, pelvic protection and individual first aid kits
Field uniform and boots
Clothing for cold and wet weather
Backpacks, duffel bags and unloading
Additional equipment required for field conditions, including ponchos, sleeping bags and trench tools.
The UK has a long history of supporting Ukrainian servicemen as part of Operation Orbital, during which 22,000 Ukrainians were trained between 2015 and 2022. The new program will build on this success and demonstrate Britain's continued leadership in responding to Ukraine's military needs as the war progresses.
On the part of the bmpd, we recall that a new training program for Ukrainian servicemen in the UK was announced by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Kiev on June 17. It provides for the training of 10,000 Ukrainian servicemen according to British programs and standards for 120 days, including a three-week so-called "combat course". Accordingly, it is planned to train 30 thousand people during the year. The British side fully provides the trainees, including equipping them with uniforms, equipment and equipment.
