Британські інструктори продовжать навчати українських військових до 2023 року

ROYAL NAVY DELIVERS CUTTING EDGE TRAINING TO UKRAINE A TEAM from the Royal Navy has deployed to Ukraine for the first time to deliver cutting edge training to the country’s Navy. A team of specialists worked with Ukrainian instructors and recruits to train them in ship navigation, firefighting, and damage repair as they strive to modernise in the face of continued Russian aggression. Using the Ukrainians’ new state of the art ship’s bridge simulator and Damage Repair Instructional Unit (DRIU) at 198 Naval Training Centre in Mykolaiv, the sailors delivered world class training over three weeks, 2,000 miles from home. Royal Navy team leader Commander Donworth said the Ukrainian Navy lost most of their ships and equipment during the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, as well as their most experienced sailors. “We’re filling that gap,” he said. “We want to bring their standards back up to where they were before.” As part of Operation ORBITAL, British Army soldiers are in country as part of the overall UK support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Over the past five years, the British Army has trained over 16,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Colonel Mike Waymouth, commander of Operation ORBITAL, said he felt the latest naval training was especially worthwhile. “It’s the right thing to do to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies in Ukraine and assist a country that wants to break away from the shackle of the former Soviet Union and from Russian influence,” he said. “I think we’re morally obliged to help them with that if we can.” One Ukrainian recruit, who did not want to be named, said: “We’ve extremely enjoyed working with the British instructors. They’re extremely experienced and they’ve radiated their experience throughout the course.” END For further information, please contact Fg Off James Shaw on 01296 65 7090, or at james.shaw128@mod.gov.uk Stay up to date with UK operations by following @DefenceOps on Twitter and Instagram.