UK training for Ukrainian troops going 'gangbusters', defence minister says

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey has praised the UK’s training of Ukrainian troops, which he says is going very well – "gangbusters".

The first cohort of Ukrainian troops came to the end of their training in the UK in mid-July. 

The course is part of the UK's commitment to supporting the country in its fight against Russia's unprovoked invasion.

Mr Heappey told Forces News that around 3,700 are undergoing training or have completed it.

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He spoke of the successful way in which personnel have been tailoring the programme to match the ever-changing needs of troops at a given time.

"In more recent weeks, we've been able to tweak it because (a), the course has gone to five weeks, but also Ukrainians started to say to us, actually we're going to need these people to be part of a counterstrike if and when one comes,” he said.

"It is the most incredible reflection of the agility and the versatility of our Armed Forces that they've been able to, from a standing start, deliver training of that quality and that capacity.

"But then as the need on the ground has changed, we’ve been able to really quickly change the training curriculum."

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace previously told MPs in the Commons that the programme has been a "learning experience for both sides".

Footage shows Ukrainian volunteer recruits training in UK.

The Ukrainian recruits are part of the Government's plan to training 10,000 troops every 120 days.

About 1,000 UK service personnel are deployed to run the programme.

Mr Heappey said he believes it is having a real impact on the battlefields of Ukraine, who will ultimately prevail, he says, helped by the "strategic depth" and support from its allies in the West.

Mr Heappey added: "There is not a single soldier, sailor or aviator involved in that training who hasn't told me how proud they are to be involved in it and how inspired they are by the commitment of the Ukrainians as they're undergoing that training, knowing that in just a few short weeks, they'll be fighting for their lives in their country back home in Ukraine."