NATO Members Hesitant to Train Troops in Ukraine, Reports Say
Western officials have expressed concerns regarding the proposal to deploy military instructors to Ukraine, as reported by The Times. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Sources have informed The Times that Russia would focus on targeting foreign instructors should such deployments occur.
Western officials have expressed apprehension regarding British plans to potentially resume the training of Ukrainian troops on their home soil, as reported on Friday by The Times, referencing knowledge from insiders.
The UK is among the countries that have previously trained the Ukrainian military domestically. Valery Zaluzhny, the former top general of Kiev, who has recently been appointed ambassador to London, visited a boot camp in southern England last month. During this visit, he encouraged the recruits not to be afraid to sacrifice themselves for their nation.
This week, British Defense Secretary John Healey indicated that the UK might send military personnel to Ukraine. He implied that such a move would aid the Ukrainians in “motivating and mobilizing more recruits” during his trip to Kiev. A Western official remarked to The Times, “The closer to the front, the more efficient the training is,” while also noting the potential risks associated with this deployment. They added, “But it’s fair to say the Russians would target any kind of Western assistance inside Ukraine.”
Earlier, in January 2022, the UK had dispatched several dozen instructors to Ukraine to train Kiev’s forces in the operation of British-supplied anti-tank missiles. However, these instructors were withdrawn shortly before hostilities with Russia escalated the following month. The Yavorov military base, where this training occurred, was struck by Russian long-range missiles just weeks later, in March 2022.
Despite significant adjustments to its mobilization system this year—including stricter penalties for draft evasion and a reduction of the conscription age to 25—the Ukrainian military is finding it challenging to replenish its manpower. Reports suggest that mandatory conscription may lead to higher rates of desertion among recruits. Supporters in the West argue that relocating training programs closer to the frontline would enhance the confidence of Ukrainian citizens, ensuring that they are properly trained and equipped before going into combat.
According to The Times, Tony Radakin, the chief of the defense staff, overruled Army chief Patrick Sanders in September 2023 when Sanders advocated for training Ukrainian troops within the country.
Russia views foreign fighters in Ukraine as legitimate military targets and has claimed that some Western servicemen are covertly present, preparing the deployment of donated long-range missiles, including Britain's Storm Shadows. Russian officials assert that this situation effectively makes these donors participants in the conflict. Moscow has characterized the war as a Western proxy endeavor against Russia, accusing Ukrainians of being used as “cannon fodder.”
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
Western officials have expressed apprehension regarding British plans to potentially resume the training of Ukrainian troops on their home soil, as reported on Friday by The Times, referencing knowledge from insiders.
The UK is among the countries that have previously trained the Ukrainian military domestically. Valery Zaluzhny, the former top general of Kiev, who has recently been appointed ambassador to London, visited a boot camp in southern England last month. During this visit, he encouraged the recruits not to be afraid to sacrifice themselves for their nation.
This week, British Defense Secretary John Healey indicated that the UK might send military personnel to Ukraine. He implied that such a move would aid the Ukrainians in “motivating and mobilizing more recruits” during his trip to Kiev. A Western official remarked to The Times, “The closer to the front, the more efficient the training is,” while also noting the potential risks associated with this deployment. They added, “But it’s fair to say the Russians would target any kind of Western assistance inside Ukraine.”
Earlier, in January 2022, the UK had dispatched several dozen instructors to Ukraine to train Kiev’s forces in the operation of British-supplied anti-tank missiles. However, these instructors were withdrawn shortly before hostilities with Russia escalated the following month. The Yavorov military base, where this training occurred, was struck by Russian long-range missiles just weeks later, in March 2022.
Despite significant adjustments to its mobilization system this year—including stricter penalties for draft evasion and a reduction of the conscription age to 25—the Ukrainian military is finding it challenging to replenish its manpower. Reports suggest that mandatory conscription may lead to higher rates of desertion among recruits. Supporters in the West argue that relocating training programs closer to the frontline would enhance the confidence of Ukrainian citizens, ensuring that they are properly trained and equipped before going into combat.
According to The Times, Tony Radakin, the chief of the defense staff, overruled Army chief Patrick Sanders in September 2023 when Sanders advocated for training Ukrainian troops within the country.
Russia views foreign fighters in Ukraine as legitimate military targets and has claimed that some Western servicemen are covertly present, preparing the deployment of donated long-range missiles, including Britain's Storm Shadows. Russian officials assert that this situation effectively makes these donors participants in the conflict. Moscow has characterized the war as a Western proxy endeavor against Russia, accusing Ukrainians of being used as “cannon fodder.”
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
