Weapon handling, medical training and basic engineering knowledge… these are just some of the skills hundreds of soldiers are learning while training in Germany with instructors from Belgium and Lithuania.
The Ukrainian military knows that this Bundeswehr training program is critical to successfully carrying out the announced retaliation against Russia.
Lithuanian military instructor Simas Marcinauskis explains: “The soldiers are really motivated, they pay attention to the feedback from our trainers and they have made great progress. They have a clear understanding of their goal, what they are fighting for. And in them your country deeply committed to protecting
“There is definitely a difference, because now there is already a war. I have been there, I have seen the casualties, the causes that lead to those casualties. Here we are taught to avoid and combat it. Act correctly “confessed a Ukrainian soldier.
German officials say the biggest challenge is time. In just 4 weeks, these Ukrainian soldiers with no operational experience should be ready to fight on the front lines. Hence, the mission is intense and requires non-stop training.
Lithuania commits to train Ukrainian soldiers
Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said during his German counterpart Boris Pistorius’ visit to Lithuania in March that some 40 Lithuanian instructors would take part in various courses for Ukrainian soldiers in Germany.
The NATO allies have already trained about 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers, according to Lithuanian defense chief Valdemarus Rupsis. Lithuania has committed to training at least 2,000 this year.
