Members of the UK Armed Forces today joined Ukrainian recruits undergoing training in the south of England, remembering all those who have lost their lives in the conflict in Ukraine.
Marking one year since Russia’s illegal invasion, 300 Ukrainian recruits were joined by their British instructors and international partners from Canada and Lithuania for a sunrise field service.
Paying tribute to all those who had made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, Padres from within the British Army and Canadian Army led over 450 service personnel in a two minutes silence which was sounded by a Bugler from the 1st Battalion The Irish Guards who played The Last Post and Reveille.
Speaking on the one year anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
“As we look back on a year of conflict, now should be a time for reflection in Moscow, a reminder that they can end the suffering of both Russians and Ukrainians at any time. There is nothing in Ukraine for Russia except dishonour and defeat.
“The UK and our Allies will not falter, we will continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
The UK, alongside international partners, has been training Ukrainian recruits at a number of sites across England.
The course is 35-days long and trains the recruits with two primary principles providing the backbone of the training – survivability and lethality. The recruits are being taught how to survive in a hostile environment and how to use deadly force against their adversaries. Key focus areas include basic fieldcraft, medical care, marksmanship and weapon handling.
Most of the recruits have little or no military experience when they arrive on the course, though some have experience fighting on the frontline.
The UK, along with its international partners, has trained just over 10,000 Ukrainian recruits in the last six months.
