- Prime Minister meets President Zelenskyy
in Kyiv today to discuss Ukraine’s valiant fight against
Russia.
- Offers major training programme for Ukrainian forces to help
sustain their heroic defence.
- The UK would spearhead the programme, with the potential to
train thousands of new and existing Ukrainian soldiers.
The Prime Minister has offered to launch a major training
operation for Ukrainian forces, with the potential to train up to
10,000 soldiers every 120 days.
During a visit to Kyiv today, the Prime Minister told President
Zelenskyy the UK could spearhead the landmark programme, which
would fundamentally change the equation of the war, ensuring the
Armed Forces of Ukraine have the resilience they need to be
victorious in their fight for enduring peace.
The offer to President Zelenskyy came as the pair discussed the
situation in Ukraine, and how the Ukrainian people continue to
inspire the world with their incredible resistance.
The UK-led programme would train and drill the Armed Forces of
Ukraine using battle-proven British Army expertise, allowing them
to accelerate their deployment, rebuild their forces, and
scale-up their resistance as they continue to defend their
nation’s sovereignty against Russian invaders. International
partners would be invited to host the programme, if the offer is
accepted by Ukraine.
The previous Operation Orbital saw the UK train more than 22,000
Ukrainian personnel from 2015 until the full-scale invasion of
Ukraine. The new programme would train forces outside of the
country.
The battle-winning skills taught during the seven-year programme
enabled Ukrainian forces to launch a ferocious defence against
Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.
Prime Minister said:
“My visit today, in the depths of this war, is to send a clear
and simple message to the Ukrainian people: the UK is with you,
and we will be with you until you ultimately prevail.
“As Ukrainian soldiers fire UK missiles in defence of your
nation’s sovereignty, they do so also in defence of the very
freedoms we take for granted.
“That is why I have offered President Zelenskyy a major new
military training programme that could change the equation of
this war –harnessing that most powerful of forces, the Ukrainian
determination to win.
“Two months on from my last visit, the Ukrainian grit,
determination and resilience is stronger than ever, and I know
that unbreakable resolve will long outlive the vain ambitions of
President Putin.”
Each soldier would spend three weeks on the training course,
learning battle winning skills for the front line, as well as
basic medical training, cyber-security and counter explosive
tactics.
Alongside the training offer, the leaders also discussed how the
UK can play a pivotal role in ending the blockade of grain.
The major training programme builds on the UK’s global leadership
in supporting Ukraine in its valiant defence of its country.
The UK has already pledged more than £1.3bn in economic and
humanitarian support to Ukraine – including more than 5,000 NLAW
anti-tank missiles, long-range multiple launch rocket systems,
and artillery systems including 155mm Self Propelled Guns.
ENDS
Summary of UK military support to Ukraine to
date:
- Multiple launch rocket system (M270 weapon system) and
associated munitions (M31A1)
- 155mm Self-Propelled Guns
-
120 armoured
vehicles
- More than 5,000 NLAW anti-tank missiles
- More than 200 Javelin anti-tank systems and missiles
- 1,360 anti-structure munitions
- Air Defence systems, including Starstreak missiles
- Stormer armoured vehicles with Air Defence systems
- Brimstone ground-attack missiles
- New anti-ship missile systems
- 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosives
- More than 400,000 rounds of small-arms munitions
- More than 200,000 pieces of non-lethal aid including helmets,
body armour, rangefinders and medical equipment
- Electronic warfare equipment
- Counter battery radar systems
- GPS jamming equipment
- Thousands of night vision devices
- Dozens of heavy lift UAV systems to provide logistical
support to isolated forces.
