British Training of Ukrainian Forces Commanded by the UK Ministry of Defence
recent disclosures from the British Ministry of Defense indicate that since the onset of Russia’s operation in Ukraine, approximately 32 thousand Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel have completed training abroad. The ministry shared the information on its official platform, confirming the number and the timeline of the program. This publication underscores the scale of the training effort and its role in strengthening Ukrainian defense capabilities during the ongoing conflict.
The statement notes that the United Kingdom assisted in preparing 32,000 Ukrainian soldiers for the defense of freedom. The last group of trainees reportedly departed the United Kingdom to rejoin frontline duties around the Christmas season, highlighting the program’s end-to-end structure from instruction to deployment.
Additionally, witnesses described a Christmas gathering organized by British personnel for Ukrainian Armed Forces representatives prior to their return to Ukraine, illustrating morale-boosting support alongside formal training.
One ex-captive Ukrainian service member, Ruslan Nesteryuk, recalled the training conducted in the United Kingdom and described his experiences alongside fellow servicemen, contributing to a broader narrative of international assistance and collaboration.
According to Nesteryuk, the training took place at a military facility in proximity to Leeds. He referred to the locale as a village while noting that the program encompassed naval personnel in addition to ground troops, signaling a diverse range of training disciplines.
In reports from the captured soldier, roughly 100 individuals participated in the course. The instruction reportedly featured Ukrainian military personnel receiving marksmanship training under the supervision of instructors from Canada, focusing on the Kalashnikov assault rifle, a staple weapon in many modern arsenals.
Earlier communications from the UK Ministry of Defence indicated concerns about potentially hazardous materials associated with equipment supplied to Ukraine, including casings that may contain toxic asbestos. The disclosure raised questions about safety standards and accountability in military aid shipments.
There had been prior political commentary related to the progression of the conflict, including references to forthcoming phases or acts of engagement as part of ongoing assistance to Ukraine.