That is according to the UK government website.
As the statement of the UK government reads, the training, announced by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the UK in February, has seen British Commandos training Ukraine’s forces in small boat amphibious operations – conducting beach raids using inflatable boats.
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It is the first program of amphibious training delivered by the UK to Ukraine, culminating with the Ukrainian marines planning and conducting raids by both day and night.
As the UK government website states, approximately 900 Ukrainian marines have completed the course, which included training to use Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons (NLAW) and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, use of mortars and drones for reconnaissance, and explosive demolition of obstacles such as Dragon’s Teeth anti-vehicle fortifications.
Equipment used in the training is the same as some of the military support the UK has provided to Ukraine, with more than 10,000 anti-tank weapons including thousands of NLAW systems already provided.
Trainees came from a variety of backgrounds, with many being civilian volunteers with no prior military experience, while others have transferred from other sections within the Armed Forces of Ukraine – some having already been engaged in combat on the frontline.
Instructors from 42 Commando and 47 Commando Raiding group delivered the training, alongside Army Commandos from 24 Commando Engineers and Royal Artillery Gunners from 29 Commando. Instructors from the Netherlands Marine Corps were also part of the training program.
Commando skills for Ukraine's Marines...#RoyalMarines have spent more than six months training nearly 1,000 Ukrainian Marines in the art of commando raiding and complex amphibious operations.#StandWithUkraine Read more: https://t.co/owtZ4uhxKY pic.twitter.com/H86RcFrcI8— Royal Marines (@RoyalMarines) August 11, 2023
One of the recently trained Ukrainian marines said: "The training I have received from the UK Royal Marines has been far more intense than I expected. I have learned so much and never expected to be doing the things I have done. All the way through, our British instructors have been beside us, showing us how to move and how to work together in a small team – this will make a difference when we return home to Ukraine."
Each training cohort underwent a rigorous five-week program, developing individual skills including fieldcraft, battlefield first aid, close quarters combat, and fitness, and unit planning in realistic scenarios. The training will further support Ukraine’s capability to develop its own marine force and develop an international training concept for marines.
After completing training, Ukrainian military personnel are returning to Ukraine.
“The UK has led the way in training the Armed Force of Ukraine, providing world-leading training in frontline combat skills to more than 20,000 of Ukraine’s Army recruits through Operation Interflex. This program of training, delivered by elite British commandos, will support Ukraine to build its own distinct marine force and expand its capability to operate in a maritime environment,” the UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace concluded estimating the program.
As Defense Express reported, earlier the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi announced creation of the Navy Corps within the structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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