Watch: Ukrainian soldiers remember those they have lost to war

Ukrainian soldiers in the South of England gathered at dawn to remember those fallen on the one-year anniversary of the invasion of their homeland.  

It is believed that 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already been killed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and an estimated 8,000 civilians have also died since Russia invaded on 24 February 2022.

Many of the soldiers training in the UK were drivers, teachers and builders before they had to take up arms. 

• Ukraine war: UK holds minute's silence marking anniversary of Russia's invasion
• Support for Ukraine must not be time-limited, James Cleverly to tell UN
• Watch: How Russia's invasion of Ukraine has unfolded over the last year

Yuri was a builder before he became a soldier. He said: "A lot of infrastructure was destroyed, and a lot of civilians were killed before my eyes. What Russia is doing is utter terror."

Across the UK, Ukrainian soldiers have been taught five weeks of basic combat skills under the tutelage of multinational instructors.

The training is based on the British Armed Forces' basic soldiering course, but it will focus on the combat aspects of war instead of the drill and administrative parts of military life.

Vladimir, a former furniture maker, said: "I am hopeful that the war will be over soon." 

Major Trucker Middleton of the UK Training Team said: "All of the instructors are putting our hearts and souls into giving them as much time, and every moment we can possibly have with the recruits. To try and impart those skills is key.

"Sending them off is difficult but it is part of the job we always know the day will come.

"So, we just have to hope that we have done enough with them in the short time we've been able to train them, and hopefully arm them as best we can," he added.