UK considering sending troops to west of Ukraine for recruit training

The British military leadership is considering the possibility of sending troops to the west of Ukraine to train new recruits.

Source: The Times, citing informed sources in British and Ukrainian circles, reported by European Pravda

Details: The sources said that according to the plans under discussion, small groups of British military instructors may be deployed to western parts of Ukraine to provide intensive basic training to recruits before they head to the front lines.

Two sources noted that this would address some logistical issues related to sending Ukrainian soldiers to British bases for training, as well as reduce costs.

A UK defence official told journalists that sending British troops to Ukraine instead of holding training on UK military bases would be "cheaper for us and better for them".

"We could do [the training] quicker out there and it would be very far away from the front line, in secluded locations, so the risk would be much lower," he explained.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian source pointed out that moving the training to Ukraine could send a "powerful military-political signal" to other countries and Russia itself. The source also expressed hope that this could become a "powerful deterrent".

In addition, British troops would gain combat skills from Ukrainian fighters and have the opportunity to test new weapons being developed for the war, one source added.

Background:

• Recently, former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stated that the UK should send troops to help train and support the Ukrainian army.
• The idea of NATO troops on Ukrainian territory was previously raised by French President Emmanuel Macron, who in February acknowledged suggesting to Western nations that they send their forces to Ukraine.
• Some countries, including the Baltic states, publicly supported or expressed interest in the idea. However, most, including the former Secretary General of NATO, rejected the possibility.
• In May, The New York Times reported that some NATO member countries were privately discussing the possibility of sending military instructors or contractors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian soldiers and assist with equipment repair.

Support UP or become our patron!