The first cohort of Ukrainian soldiers, many of whom have no previous military experience, have arrived in the U.K. for combat training as the eastern European nation races to replace troops killed and wounded in the war against Russia.
The first few hundred recruits are receiving instruction at sites across Britain in the first phase of program that aims to train up to 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in weapons handling, battlefield first aid and patrol tactics, the U.K. Ministry of Defence said. It is part of broader package of support for Ukraine that includes 2.3 billion pounds of anti-tank weapons, rocket systems and other hardware.
"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," Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said. As part of the program, Britain procured AK-type assault rifles so the Ukrainians can train with the weapons they will be using on the frontline. The U.K. will also provide personal protective equipment for the soldiers, including helmets, body armour, eye, ear and pelvic protection, individual first aid kits as well as field uniforms and boots.
The goal is to rapidly turn civilians into effective soldiers, Sgt. Dan Hayes told the Times of London. "All these guys were drivers or they worked in quarries or they were shopkeepers," Hayes said. "I've been in the army 14 years and I chose to join. These guys are all civvies and we are investing everything we can because we know they are going to need it."
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia trying to 'raise true hell,' Ukrainian governor saysRussian forces are managing to “raise true hell” in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland despite reports of them taking an operational pause, a regional governor said Saturday, while the government in Kyiv urged people in Russian-occupied southern areas to evacuate “by all possible means” ahead of a Ukrainian offensive.
Read more »
Russia trying to 'raise true hell,' Ukrainian governor saysRussian forces are managing to 'raise true hell' in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland despite reports of them taking an operational pause, a regional governor said Saturday, while the government in Kyiv urged people in Russian-occupied southern areas to evacuate 'by all possible means' ahead of a Ukrainian offensive.
Read more »
Russia trying to 'raise true hell,' Ukrainian governor saysKYIV, Ukraine — Russian forces are managing to “raise true hell” in Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland despite reports of them taking an operational pause,…
Read more »
Russia hands down first prison term for anti-war remarksA court in Moscow sentenced a municipal council member to seven years in prison Friday for his remarks opposing the war in Ukraine. The unprecedented sentence…
Read more »
Russia assembling reserve forces near Ukraine for future offensive, says British intelligenceBritish intelligence says Russia mounting for future offensive
Read more »
Report: Wild star Kaprizov twice denied entry into the U.S., has returned to Russia - Sportsnet.caMinnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov was unable to enter the United States and has apparently returned to his native Russia, The Athletic's Michael Russo reported on Friday.
Read more »