Under an initiative called Operation Interflex, almost 2,000 military recruits from Ukraine are undergoing five weeks of basic training in the UK. The training is being conducted by the UK and nine other partner countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, and the Netherlands.
The course, which began on June 27, 2022, is being held at four locations in the UK – Yorkshire, Kent, Wiltshire, and Northumberland. Operation Interflex aims to teach recruits from Ukraine’s military various skills such as weapon handling, marksmanship, fieldcraft basics, field tactics, and cyber security awareness.
This initiative is part of the UK’s commitment to providing military aid and support to Ukraine, with a pledge of £2.3 billion. Operation Interflex is one of the steps taken by key allies to expand long-term military support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia, following the agreement made at the Copenhagen Conference on August 11, 2022.
Major Jürgen Miranda, who is heading the Canadian-U.K. training wing, said, “Our focus is on teaching the abilities to shoot, move, communicate, medicate, and the ability to defend their homeland.”