Royal Tank Regiment instructors on the reality of training Ukrainian soldiers

As Ukraine continues its counter-offensive, more than a dozen Challenger 2 tanks, which the UK donated to Kyiv, are waiting to play their part.

Instructors from the Royal Tank Regiment oversaw the training of Ukrainian tank crews – teaching the soldiers who would soon be fighting for real on the frontline. 

At Lulworth Camp in southwest England, scores of Ukrainian soldiers learned how to operate the Challenger 2s. 

• Sunak and Zelensky meet Ukrainian soldiers training to use Challenger 2 tanks
• Ukraine set to receive 100 old Leopard 1 tanks from Germany, Denmark and Netherlands
• UK to train Ukrainian marines and fighter jet pilots as Zelensky visits

Senior gunnery instructor, Staff Sergeant Richard Johnson, said: "They were driven like I've never seen anything before.

"The reality of the situation in Ukraine really struck a chord with all the instructors because we knew they were going back to fight that war. 

"Although morale was high, there was a definite undertone of seriousness – and that came through in the way they went about their business."

The Ukrainians underwent a crash course in British tank craft, and while a few had combat experience on Soviet-era armour, many had no military background at all. 

Along with Challengers, Ukraine is also operating German Leopards and, in the autumn, is due to take delivery of 31 American Abrams tanks. 

The MOD is keen that overseas audiences are aware of the assistance the UK is giving to Ukraine.

At a media day to meet the Challenger instructors, Japanese TV crews and a number of Ukrainian social media influencers were also invited along.

Among them was 22-year-old Valeria Shashenok, who has more than a million followers on TikTok. 

Speaking to Forces News, she said: "I show to my generation that it's important to be interested in politics because our future is in our hands.

"You are a part of your country and you have a vote and a voice."

Ukraine's counter-offensive has been slow and costly and despite its technological edge, Western armour has still been knocked out – with Leopard tanks and American Bradley fighting vehicles disabled by a combination of drones, mines and artillery. 

No Challenger 2 has ever been lost to enemy fire and these instructors believe they have done everything they can to maintain that record.

But they, more than anyone, also understand the dangers facing their one-time students as they await their moment to move and take these tanks to war.