Spain Welcomes Ukrainian Trainees and Announces Medical Support for Wounded Soldiers
Spain’s defense minister publicly thanked 225 Ukrainian fighters who traveled to Spain to defend peace, announcing that on Saturday the country would receive injured soldiers for treatment at the Madrid military hospital. The message was delivered at Torrejón Military Base as Ukrainian trainees began their military instruction under a European mission to back Ukraine.
During the visit, the minister met the civilian recruits, many with no prior military experience, who arrived at Torrejón Air Base on Thursday to begin training with the Spanish Army as part of the European Union effort to support Ukraine. The delegation was welcomed to the Toledo Training Coordination Center and joined another 110 trainees who completed basic training in 2022.
It was emphasized that Spain feels a deep connection with the Ukrainian people since February 24 and that the experience of the recruits reflects courage and commitment. The defense official praised their heroism and the country’s willingness to offer assistance from what was described as one of the world’s leading armed forces.
The minister noted that the conflict led by Russia is a war against global peace and freedom, underscoring Spain’s readiness to embrace the Ukrainian fighters as part of a broader commitment to alliance and humanitarian support. The Ukrainian ambassador to Spain expressed gratitude for the Spanish government’s quick and cordial response and for the ongoing friendship between the two nations.
An Air France Airbus A330, arriving from Poland, carried 98 non-military Ukrainian civilians who have been mobilized to defend their country in the ongoing war. The group will engage in foundational combat training at the Toledo Infantry Academy, with seven additional units providing support to the training effort. The second cohort of Ukrainian personnel to train at the center was noted following the first module, which trained 64 individuals between November and December.
Additionally, 20 Ukrainian soldiers will take part in a basic course on the Hawk air defense system, for which Spain has donated six launchers to Ukraine. The two-week program will be conducted at the facilities of the 74th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment in El Copero, Seville.
The Toledo Training Coordination Center is structured to accommodate around 400 Ukrainian soldiers who rotate through training every two months. The training programs offered by Spain cover basic combat skills, care for casualties, marksmanship, procedures against improvised explosives, mine clearance, and the operation of anti-aircraft weapons, with adaptation to emerging needs of the Ukrainian forces.
In issuing these instructions, the Spanish government stated that the Armed Forces Operational Command has contributed to the European Union Military Assistance Mission to Support Ukraine (EUMAM UA) under Operational Control, with the aim of developing Ukraine’s military capabilities so its forces can defend territorial integrity and protect civilians within internationally recognized borders.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to support Ukraine while advancing regional stability and reinforcing the commitment of partner nations to a united security framework.