Russia-Ukraine War: The UK launches a training program

A new training program has been started in the UK for the first Ukrainian soldiers to fight the invading Russian troops.

Russia-Ukraine War: The UK launches a training program

A new training program has been started in the UK for the first Ukrainian soldiers to fight the invading Russian troops.

Over the next few months, up to 10,000 people will be trained at MoD sites all across the country.

According to the MoD, the programme will equip volunteer recruits with the skills needed to fight in the front line.

It was the "next stage" of the UK's support to Ukrainian armed forces, according to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

The programme is being run by around 1,050 UK servicemen, more than 1,000 miles from the Donbas battlefields in eastern Ukraine.

The UK-led program aims to train as many as 10,000 Ukrainians in 120 working days. However, the defense secretary stated that he was open to "opening up more" to other countries.

He said, "We are in the hands Ukrainians."

"Using the expertise of the British army, we will assist Ukraine in rebuilding its forces and securing its future.

The Army's 11 Security Force Assistance Brigade runs the course. It is based on basic UK soldier training and covers weapons handling, battlefield aid, fieldcraft, and the Law of Armed Conflict.

Between 2015 and 2022, approximately 22,000 Ukrainian service personnel were trained by the UK via Operation Orbital.

In light of Russian aggression, the UK has invested PS2.3bn so far in military assistance. This includes more than 5,000 anti-tank weapons (NLAW) and M270 multiple rocket launch rocket systems.

The UK now counts its support for Ukraine in its defense spending. This brings the total current to 2.3% of GDP, which is higher than the target of 2% set by Nato.

Boris Johnson's potential replacement as prime minister and leader in the Conservative Party is Mr Wallace. He said that the next person to take the No 10 position must commit to spending on defence.

Ukrainians also receive specialist training in the USA.

Experts say that senior-ranking officers have been studying at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The knowledge they gained there has helped them to mount a fierce defense of their country.