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British army training team to stay in Ukraine until 2018

Xinhua, December 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Britain's training program for the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) is to be extended for another year, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced Monday.

The extension will ensure more members of the UAF will benefit from training by British armed forces, Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said in a statement issued in London.

A statement from the MOD said: "As Ukraine continues to deal with an assertive and provocative Russia, Sir Michael Fallon confirmed that British personnel will now be deployed in the country until early 2018, continuing to provide defensive training to the UAF.

"This includes the identification of mines and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), life-saving first aid, logistics and operational planning."

Fallon also confirmed that the British forces currently based in the country were due to exceed their training target and by March 2017 were expected to have trained over 5,000 members of the UAF, over 1,000 more than initially planned.

Defense Secretary Fallon said: "Extending British training of Ukrainian Armed Forces sends a clear message that we support Ukraine and remain firmly committed to its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity."

Training teams from across the British Army have been deployed to Ukraine since 2015, with the army's armored infantry Mercian Regiment currently providing the majority of the activity until the end of this year.

Britain coordinates the training it provides to the UAF with four other nations, the United States, Canada, Lithuania, and Poland.

Britain also provides a senior adviser to Ukraine's defense ministry and donated over 1.25 million U.S. dollars worth of non-lethal equipment to Ukraine, including first aid kits and cold weather clothing to strengthen their defensive capability and increase their resilience. Endit