Ukrainians face danger round every corner as they hone their trench warfare skills
The war in Ukraine has resulted in both sides resorting to trench warfare and as the conflict developed the training under Operation Interflex has adapted to include it.
On the training grounds, the training trenches mirror those found on the frontline in Ukraine where every turn holds danger.
Built to prepare recruits for combat, the trenches are based on those typically found in the country and are accurate in terms of how deep and narrow they are.
Lance Sergeant Jason Scott of 1st Battalion Irish Guards described the dedication and bravery of the Ukrainian recruits during the seven-week programme that prepares them for war.
He said: "In terms of when the soldiers are moving up and moving through here it can be quite disjointed, so the passage of information is key here.
"The training we're delivering is very progressional, so we start with lower-level tactics of this, and start in smaller teams as well, then we'll build up into company-level actions.
"They're really keen and eager to learn this, and they’re always asking the why behind what it is we're teaching."
Recruits are taught to fight as a section or in small groups through the trenches and have only seven weeks before they will be fighting for real against the invading Russian army.
The trench systems under Interflex have been modified to include dummy mines and simulated attacks by drones, based on the experiences of Ukrainian troops who have fought on the frontline.
LSgt Scott explained: "What we do is discuss with the Ukrainians who have that experience on the frontline already and see what threats they are encountering.
"For example, we have a lot of drone resources here, so we can simulate drones flying over and dropping bombs.
"They've become a massive threat in this theatre."
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