British Army trains Ukrainian soldiers in mine disposal techniques
British soldiers have been giving mine disposal training to Ukrainian soldiers in Poland so the Ukrainians will be able to disable landmines, munitions and other explosive devices when they return to the frontline.
Mines are a big problem for the Ukrainian military as it tries to regain the land lost after the Russian invasion. For the counter-offensive to succeed, the Ukrainians need to have the capability to deal with the devices.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal training provided by the Royal Engineers involves educating the Ukrainians on munition recognition, disposal methods and search procedures to combat IEDs, mines, booby traps and trip wires.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps hailed the sappers' training role in Poland, saying: "Putin’s illegal invasion has left Ukraine’s fields and towns covered in deadly landmines and unexploded munitions, which presents an immediate danger to its citizens now and for years to come.
"The Royal Engineers are using their world-leading experience to train Ukraine’s bomb disposal experts, who can pass on these lifesaving skills to their own recruits and ensure a safer future for all Ukrainians."
The training also involved how to conduct a threat brief and planning mine disposal operations as well as hands-on lessons on how to clear massive areas of land, trench systems, bunkers and civilian buildings.
The soldiers utilise metal detectors and personnel mine extraction kits and are told how to alter the equipment used on the frontline. The Ukrainians have been trying equipment handed over by the UK, such as Vallon mine detectors.
The exercises are being organised in an area akin to the frontline and are custom-made to test the responses from the Ukrainian sappers, some of whom have been fighting since the outbreak of the first invasion in 2014.
The UK is also helping the Canadian-led programme in Poland by coaching the Ukrainians in basic combat engineering skills. The dual programmes have benefited an estimated 1,000 soldiers.
Captain Chris Wilson from 35 Engineer Regiment EOD&S, who is running the EOD training, said: "We are teaching Ukrainian sappers skills we developed during various deployments, as well as evolving our own techniques based on feedback from Ukraine’s frontline, in order to deliver vital training which will save Ukrainian lives."
The UK has provided 1,500 vehicle-mounted and 'on-the-person' mine clearing explosive ordnance disposal equipment in addition to the required training.
Extra mine disposal equipment will be given to the Ukrainians from the next round of funding from the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine, which has already raised £770m.
From the beginning of the Russian invasion in February last year to July this year, the United Nations found that there were 632 civilian injuries and 298 civilian deaths, of which 22 were children.
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