Conflicts & War

New Zealand deploys 120 troops to train Ukrainian soldiers

Sydney, Australia, Aug 15 (EFE).- New Zealand will send 120 additional defense force personnel to the United Kingdom to train Ukrainian soldiers as part of an international plan to help Kyiv to defend itself against Russia, the government announced Monday.

“We know that one of the highest priorities for Ukraine right now, is to train its soldiers, and New Zealand is proud to stand in solidarity alongside a number of other countries to answer that call,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement announcing the military deployment, which will begin this month and end in November.

Last month, the UK began a training program for frontline Ukrainian soldiers in operational law, weapons handling and combat first aid, among other tasks, to help Ukraine defend itself from the Russians.

It is expected that some 10,000 Ukrainian troops and more than 1,000 British soldiers will participate in this military program.

“The training will be conducted exclusively at one of four locations in the UK and our NZDF (New Zealand Defense Force) personnel will not enter Ukraine,” Defense Minister Peeni Henare said.

The deployment follows a completed one of 30 NZDF personnel in May to train Ukrainian military personnel in operating artillery.

Ardern’s government has provided some NZ$40 million ($28.4 million) in financial support to Ukraine and imposed sanctions on 840 Russian individuals and entities since the invasion on Feb. 24. EFE

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