UK to Consider Sending Military Instructors to Ukraine

19 December, 2024 British military personnel. Photo credits: Zurab Kurtsikidze/EPA. The UK Ministry of Defense is considering sending British military instructors to Ukraine.

They will assist in training the Ukrainian Defense Forces. This was announced by British Defense Secretary John Healey, according to the BBC. On Wednesday, December 18, the British official visited Kyiv and discussed plans to provide more support to Ukraine next year.

However, he refused to provide details of these plans, but BBC defense sources say he "would not rule out sending British troops to Ukraine to help with training."

Ukrainian military at the INTERFLEX exercise in the UK, September 2022. Photo credits: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Healey also emphasized the need to tailor training to the needs of the Ukrainian military.

"We need to make it easier for Ukrainians to access and work with them to help attract and motivate more recruits," the minister told The Times.

Interflex

The United Kingdom also intends to continue the Interflex operation to train Ukrainian military personnel on its territory throughout 2025. John Healey said in an interview with Ukrinform news agency during his visit to Kyiv. "Even if the fighting stops, your need for military training, for defense assistance, for the solidarity and support that the UK can provide to your country will not disappear," Defense Secretary Healey added.

The Ukrainian military at the INTERFLEX training in Great Britain, September 2022.

Frame from the video

Last month, Colonel Andy Boardman, commander of the Interflex multinational mission, stated that as of November, 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers had already completed the training. According to him, in order to improve the quality of education and training, the training period for Ukrainians has been extended from 35 to 50 days. The training program is also constantly being adapted to the requirements of the battlefield.

This includes both tactical training and the use of certain types of weapons, such as UAVs and electronic warfare systems.