British Royal Navy trains Ukrainian sailors to fight Russia
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The Royal Navy revealed that 80 servicemen are receiving "comprehensive, expert instruction."
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Ukrainian sailors trained in Scotland to fight Russia.
The Royal Navy is training Ukrainian sailors in Scotland to help Kiev fight Russia, the British military said on Friday.
Vladimir Gavrilov, Ukraine's deputy defense minister, and UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey both took part in the exercises. The drill's exact location is being kept secret for security reasons.
The ministers observed the sailors practicing key skills at sea, such as weapon drills, damage control, and vessel operation.
According to the Navy, 80 Ukrainian servicemen are receiving "comprehensive, expert instruction." At the same time, the UK plans to sell two Sandown-class minehunters to Kiev.
Read next: US military ramps up training of Ukrainian forces
“We really need them to support Ukrainian efforts in the Black sea for the mining. It’s also a part of humanitarian mission which is very important to the world,” Gavrilov said.
“The intensity with which the Ukrainian soldiers and sailors are training is something to behold. They work with the focus of troops who know they’ll be fighting in a war in just a few short weeks’ time,” Heappey added.
The Royal Navy's participation in the exercise is part of a military program led by the United Kingdom that involves over 1,000 British service members from across the country. The drill is intended to prepare volunteer recruits with limited military experience for frontline combat.
The joint exercises come as the United Kingdom has decided to send Ukraine another batch of anti-tank weapons, drones, artillery guns, and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition. Previously, London provided Kiev with £2.3 billion ($2.76 billion) in financial assistance to help the country combat Russia's offensive.
US trains Ukrainian troops
Some Ukrainian troops received military training in the United States, including on how to use equipment provided by the Pentagon, top US defense officials revealed at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on April 5.
The US government has provided Ukraine with $2.3 billion in security assistance since President Joe Biden took office last January, including thousands of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems.
Roughly 70% of that aid was provided or obligated after Russia launched its operation in Ukraine on February 24.
Read next: Pentagon trained over 23,000 Ukrainian soldiers since 2015: US Gen.
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