Ben Wallace visits Ukrainian troops training in UK
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has met up with some of the first Ukrainian recruits to take part in a military training programme running across the UK.
The course is part of the UK's commitment to supporting the country in its fight against Russia's unprovoked invasion.
"Using the world-class expertise of the British Army we will help Ukraine to rebuild its forces and scale up its resistance as they defend their country's sovereignty and their right to choose their own future," Mr Wallace said.
The Ukrainian recruits are part of the Government's commitment to training 10,000 troops every 120 days.
About 600 are taking part in a programme in north west England being run by 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.
The training was devised based on the threats the Ukrainians are facing of "massed artillery in the urban environment and trench warfare" according to Brigadier Justin Stenhouse.
The soldiers aren't just being taught to shoot but are also getting lessons in battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, patrol tactics and the Law of Armed Conflict.
Many of them had never shot a gun before starting this training.
WATCH: How does Western aid reach Ukraine's frontline?
Captain Sam Russon of 3rd Battalion The Rifles said: "The first day it was a bit all over the place... but certainly in the last two days we have seen huge improvements."
About 1,000 UK service personnel are deploying to run the programme, which will take place at Ministry of Defence sites across the UK.
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