By Tony O’Reilly-
The UK is significantly expanding a training programme in Britain to turn potentially tens of thousands of Ukrainian citizens into frontline soldiers to fight Russia.
The combat course is being extended in length to five weeks from three weeks, keeping more of the training in the UK away from the threat of Russian missile strikes
An estimated 4,700 personnel have already been through the training at military bases in the north, southwest and southeast of England since it began in June, with commanders intending to continue the support for as long as Ukraine needs new troops to fight Russia’s invasion.
Military instructors from eight other countries, including New Zealand, Sweden and the Netherlands, have amalgamated with their British counterparts to provide the expanded training mission.
Other countries taking part in the training programme to help Ukraine comprise Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Lithuania.
Russia has repeatedly warned of dire consequences if the West continue to support Ukraine with weapons, but the news of extra training will only inflame tensions between Ukraine and Russia, in the present climate of animosity between the West and Russia.
Defence Secretary, Ben 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”.
He added: “Meeting those citizen soldiers and witnessing first-hand their courage and determination is a humbling experience.
A defence source said this was an indication that while “many politicians have been distracted by a summer leadership competition”, the defence secretary “only cares about keeping Ukrainians in their fight for national survival”..
UK’s basic infantry training including weapons-handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft and patrol tactics are amongst the key things on offer by the training programme.
The extra two weeks will allow for more advanced training, such as trench and urban warfare, vehicle-mounted operations, and battlefield exercises in simulated combat environments.
The training is being conducted by elements from the British Army’s 11 Security Force Assistance Brigade and the RAF Regiment, alongside international instructors.
Image:ministryofdefence