Ukrainian sailors trained in Britain to operate mine counter measures vessels

A relevant statement was released by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.

“Deputy Defence Minister of Ukraine, Mr Volodymyr Havrylov and the Minister of Armed Forces, James Heappey MP met Ukrainian sailors being trained by the Royal Navy and visited infantry training by the British Army,” the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland informs.

As noted, the visit allowed the deputy defence minister of Ukraine to observe ongoing training while subsequently having the opportunity to interact with the Ukrainian trainees. 5 The Rifles CO Lieutenant Colonel Jim Hadfield OBE gave a presentation on the progress of the training, with input from his training staff, and shared some of his thoughts on the operation so far from the 5 RIFLES perspective

UK’s Armed Forces Minister James Heappey noted: “The intensity with which the Ukrainian soldiers and sailors are training is something to behold. They work with the focus of troops who know they’ll be fighting in a war. Delivering training that matches that intensity and focus is not straightforward. The Royal Navy and the British Army are working long hours and drawing on all their operational experience to make sure their new Ukrainian friends are sent into combat with the best chance of victory.”

Havrylov thanked the British side for their help and noted that the brotherhood of Ukrainian and British soldiers working together to achieve a common goal is the key to strengthening the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian army.

The officials also visited a Royal Navy Sandown Class mine hunter at sea to witness first-hand the training being provided to Ukrainian sailors in a deal agreed last year under the Ukrainian Naval Capabilities Enhancement Programme (UNCEP).

The Royal Navy has been training full crews of Ukrainian sailors since May this year, teaching them how to operate Sandown Class Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMVs).

Ukrainian troops have undertaken initial courses in training establishments in a range of specialisms, including SONAR operation, engineering, damage control and navigation. This is being followed up with a period of knowledge exchange alongside Royal Navy crews and operational training at sea.

As reported, the UK has offered to train up to 10,000 Ukrainian troops in battlefield skills to help them oppose the Russian troops.

The programme is part of the UK’s enduring commitment to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s unprovoked invasion, which so far amounts to more than £2.3 billion in military aid and includes more than 5,000 NLAW anti-tank weapons and M270 multiple launch rocket systems.

Around 1,050 UK service personnel are deploying to run the programme, which will take place at MOD sites across the North West, South West and South East of the UK. Each course will last several weeks and will be conducted by elements from 11 Security Force Assistance Brigade.

The British Government has rapidly procured AK variant assault rifles for the training programme, meaning Ukrainian soldiers can train on the weapons they will be using on the front line.

The UK has also gifted clothing and equipment to support Ukrainian soldiers in their training and deployment back to Ukraine.

The UK has a long history of supporting Ukrainian service personnel through Operation Orbital which trained 22,000 Ukrainians between 2015 and 2022. The new programme will build on this success and demonstrate the UK’s continued leadership in responding to Ukraine’s military requirements as the war evolves.

Photo credit: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

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