Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported via his Telegram channel that roughly 15,000 servicemen from the Ukrainian Armed Forces have received training in the United Kingdom. The message underscored that this substantial program is equipping Ukrainian troops with practical familiarity with NATO procedures, protocols, and operational standards that mirror those of allied forces. The statement highlights a clear shift toward interoperability, with training designed to align Ukrainian military practices with Western benchmarks in logistics, communications, marksmanship, and command and control frameworks.
Shmyhal emphasized that after completing training in Britain, the Ukrainian army has effectively integrated NATO-style methods into daily practice on the battlefield and in planning sessions. This modernization effort aims to improve coordination with international partners and enhance the overall readiness of Ukrainian units to execute complex missions with precision and resilience under pressure.
The Prime Minister thanked the United Kingdom for initiating Operation Interflex, a multinational training initiative that involves nine partner countries. The program brings together various Western allies to share doctrine, provide capstone training, and bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities through practical, on-site instruction, simulation exercises, and joint field operations that reflect real-world combat scenarios.
Shmyhal also coordinated with the British Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, to map out essential steps for a broader Ukrainian counteroffensive and to further strengthen the country’s defensive posture. The discussions focused on rapid capability enhancements, logistics support, and the acceleration of training pipelines that feed frontline units with the tools they need to operate effectively in various theaters of operation.
Earlier disclosures from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine indicated that Ukrainian specialists participated in training aimed at improving interaction with Black Hawk helicopters. The training emphasized coordinated air-ground integration, mission planning for vertical lift operations, and the ability to sustain ongoing combat efforts while maintaining safety and airspace control under combat conditions.
The report adds that Ukraine’s special forces, including units under the GUR, conducted airborne insertions of combat groups to the battlefield, practiced rapid extraction and extraction via night-landing techniques, and executed operations during nocturnal flight windows. These capabilities are described as integral to maintaining operational tempo and ensuring rapid response times in contested environments, thereby contributing to the broader strategic objective of enhanced deterrence and defense.”