British Defense Minister Grant Shapps announced that, under Operation Interflex, 30,000 Ukrainian military personnel have already undergone training in the United Kingdom.
"The UK has trained more Ukrainian recruits than pledged - today BEATING our 30k target for the year 7 weeks early. We've brought in international partners & can be proud of the real world difference we're making for Ukraine's freedom here in the UK. Slava Ukraini,” Shapps said on X.
Read more: UK Plans to Boost Training for the Ukrainian Military, and the Navy May Help Protect Grain Vessels
The total number of Ukrainian military personnel who have undergone training in the United Kingdom under Operations Interflex and Orbital, since the start of russian aggression in 2014 to more than 52,000.
The project is supported by 10 other partner countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Australia and Romania.
"This would not have been possible without our international partners. Ten partner nations have contributed military personnel to the training since June 2022," the UK Ministry of Defence reports.
According to the website of the British government, the training allows Ukraine’s forces to accelerate their deployments, rebuild their forces, and scale-up their resistance as they continue to defend their nation’s sovereignty against russian invaders.
The course is delivered over a minimum period of five weeks and includes weapons handling, battlefield first aid, Law of Armed Conflict training, patrol tactics and rural environment training. During the past 12 months, the UK’s wider package of support has also evolved to include upskilling Ukrainian Marines, with British Commandos training Ukraine’s forces in small boat amphibious operations, as well as mine-clearance training by the Royal Engineers, trauma response training and even Army chaplaincy support for Ukrainian padres.
The UK is providing a broad package of training to Ukrainian recruits to enable them to defend against Russian aggression - from combat skills to pastoral care #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/MKF8zgUilP
— Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) November 11, 2023
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized, "I am incredibly proud of all the British and Ukrainian soldiers, sailors, airmen and women involved in this major undertaking - their dedication and professionalism today is ensuring peace for our continent in the future."
Read more: Group of Ukrainian Military Personnel Has Started the Patriot Training Course – German Air Force
