Ukrainian troops to be trained by UK MoD as 40,000 to be battle ready by 2025 | UK | News
40,000 Ukrainian troops will be trained by the end of 2024 according to plans confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.
As part of Operation Interflex, the name of the UK’s training programme for Ukrainian troops, over 40,000 will be ready to fight Vladimir Putin’s Russia by the start of 2025.
The number was confirmed by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces Leo Docherty following a question by the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence John Healey.
Mr Healey had enquired about the numbers as concerns grow about the UK’s interest in and support for Ukraine as it tries to fight back against a Russian advance in the Kharkiv region.
In response to the question, Mr Docherty said: “Working with our partners to meet Ukraine’s training requirements, it is estimated that Operation Interflex will have trained more than 40,000 Ukrainian personnel by the end of 2024.”
The UK Defence Journal said that Mr Docherty added: “The UK is committed to working with partners to meet Ukraine’s training requirements now and in the future.”
The confirmation of the figures comes just weeks after the UK committed to a military aid package worth £500million. The announcement was made last month whilst Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was in the country.
The aid will be accompanied by donations of missiles and air defences to help Ukraine defend itself against repeated aerial attacks from Russian forces.
Among the equipment being sent to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence said the package also included 60 boats, maritime guns, 1,600 strike and air defence missiles, 400 vehicles, and four million rounds of small arms munition.
Thanking the UK, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Mr Hunt: “I want to thank you, your team, government, Prime Minister, Parliament and people of the United Kingdom that you are with us – with Ukraine – from the first days of full-scale war. We count on you. We are real partners.”
Speaking from Kyiv, Mr Hunt said: “War in Ukraine has raged on for longer than many feared, but today I saw that the resolve of its people remains absolute. The onus is now on its friends to pile the pressure on Putin and help restore peace and prosperity in Europe – we’re determined to play our leading part.
“Ukraine’s security is our security, and the billions in funding and equipment Britain has provided to date is just the start of a longer-term commitment to supporting them in their struggle with Russia for as long as it takes.”
