Ukrainian soldiers on Interflex to take their place in VE Day 80 parade in London

Ukrainian soldiers will be taking part in the VE Day 80 military procession through central London on Monday alongside around 1,000 personnel from the UK Armed Forces.

The Ukrainian contingent will include soldiers currently deployed to Britain on Operation Interflex – the UK-led training mission for Ukrainian recruits that was set up in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion.

The operation has so far trained more than 54,000 Ukrainian personnel, with the programme having ben extended until at least the end of this year.

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Speaking ahead of the event, Defence Secretary John Healey said: "Eighty years after VE Day, we will celebrate our wartime veterans, our greatest generation.

"We will ensure their spirit lives on not just in our Armed Forces, but also in our values and commitment to strength through unity.

"In the midst of the first full-scale war in Europe since the Second World War, it is fitting that the Ukrainian armed forces currently fighting on the frontline of freedom are represented in Monday's event."

The military procession will begin in Parliament Square at midday, marked by the chimes of Big Ben, and will follow a route down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch, along The Mall and finish at Buckingham Palace.

Led by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the parade will include marching detachments from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force, as well as cadets and youth groups.

Seven military bands and Commonwealth representatives will also take part.

The event will conclude with a flypast involving the Red Arrows and 23 military aircraft, both modern and historic.

Second World War veterans will watch from the Royal Box at the Queen Victoria Memorial, including 101-year-old D-Day veteran Jack Mortimer, who said: "People from all over the world joined forces 80 years ago to defend freedom – we must remember all of their sacrifices.

"It will be incredibly moving to see the VE Day procession and so many nations represented."

Mr Mortimer is also expected to attend a separate service and veterans' tea party at the National Memorial Arboretum on 8 May, the actual anniversary of VE Day.