Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the British Army, has praised “the courage, morale and fighting spirit” of Ukrainian troops being trained by the British Army.
General Sir Patrick Sanders made the remarks as he visited the first group of Armed Forces of Ukraine recruits on a training programme to give them the skills to become effective soldiers.
The British Army say that up to 10,000 Ukrainians will be given training by the UK Armed Forces over the coming months.
“The programme is part of the UK’s enduring commitment to support Ukraine, which so far amounts to more than £2.3 billion in military aid including anti-tank weapons, armoured vehicles, and artillery. At military ranges in Kent, General Sanders watched Ukrainian troops being trained in how to fight through buildings. Drawn from the Army’s basic training programme, other skills the Ukrainians are being taught include weapon handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, patrol tactics and the Law of Armed Conflict.”
General Sanders was quoted as saying:
“I was struck by the courage, morale and fighting spirit of the Ukrainian soldiers. Furthermore, the commitment and hard work of the instructors, and the speed with which they have put the training together, is hugely impressive. We will continue our work to scale up the ambition and pace of the training to maximise support to Ukraine.”
The Army say that the current programme builds on the Army’s history of supporting Ukrainian forces through Operation Orbital, which saw British troops in Ukraine between 2015 and 2022 to deliver training to over 22,000 Ukrainians.
Lots of work for the British Army here if Ukraine is going to obtain a force 1M strong.
Read that Dutch, Canadians and Kiwis have troops in UK helping to train Ukranians as well.
Interesting. A steady improvement in training should, over time (when added to the steady improvement in kit) start to turn the tide in favour of Ukraine you would have thought?
Not sure what else the general could say really. It’s all a bit Commandant Laussard. Can’t see him saying they’re gash. Fair play to the instructors though.
😂 Commandant Laussard – not heard that name for many, many years.
Hilarious films. Wonder if CGS used a podium?
Given their performance in the field I’d hardly say the operation was gash…..
Proof is in the pudding as they say. Ukraine is holding off a force with 10x the artillery by being a bit cleverer. Says it all really.
Quite. However, Blighty is world leaders in looking for the bad news as doubtless you have noticed … I hope 10,000 is just a first wave to undergo training. It’s worth doing. The record shows that the Ukrainians have an army that won’t drop 5,000 million dollars worth of kit and leg it.
Especially as they are between the Russians and their own families.
SB, did you even read my comment. I didn’t say they were gash, I didn’t even say the visiting general said they were gash. I said its not like he COULD say they were gash, he was only going to sing their praises.
Tough crowd……
Yes, I read it.
So you deliberately decided to make it out to be derogatory when it wasn’t.
Have you actually read my comment carefully?
It doesn’t state he said it or anything negative at all.
It is a simple, non quotational, statement!
It strikes me that the UK has a lot to learn from Ukraine as they are fighting Russia. We should have some experienced Ukraine troops here adding their experience to the training. The Ukraine experience should be integrated into UK/NATO training.
“General Sanders watched Ukrainian troops being trained in how to fight through buildings” –
apt time to reflect on this from Thin Pinstriped, perhaps (yes, again!)
https://thinpinstripedline.blogspot.com/2022/08/we-sleep-safely-in-our-beds-because.html
Two fundamentals to highlight that I recall from previous counter arguements:- Residents are repeatedly asked to evacuate, though some cannot; Amnesty did not refer to its own Ukraine based office.
SLAVA UKRAINE- I wish UKRAINE would announce a “Special Military Operation” to destroy Putin’s Kerch Bridge.
Poor Ukraine,a stooge for americas evil Empire.Got to keep the “Grand Area”under the evil thumb.Never been such tyranny as Americas since the Spanish Inquisition.There are far far far to many blind people who cannot see through them.Remember Kaiser Sozee”The greatest trick the devil ever pulled is to pursuade people he did not exist”America is the complete master of treachery.
Oh dear troll is struggling with the English language!
Tell you what the majority of folk perceive. The only empire that has achieved its position with very little aggression and usually a reluctance to start – unless attacked first. We can literally live with its economic hegemony.
Very difficult to destroy as it’s massive but very necessary for reasons postulated since the start of this war. A few well aimed long range fires on two or three specific points would do. Regardless of the predictable verbal farts emanating from Russia over ‘dire consequences’, there is little risk: Crimea is legally Ukrainian territory not Russian. Awaiting the White House….
Rgs
Definitely. Even the sight of a damaged bridge would be hugely embarrassing for the Russians. And the fact that anyone leaving the Crimea would have to head north towards Ukraine would be a real morale killer.
Could we be training Taiwanese solders next ?
(Soldiers)
Doubt it. They have had plenty of years to build an effective fighting force. Ukraine forces have swelled dramatically and they won’t have all had previous nato standard training or any training. Also this gives them a safe place to train, use weapons etc. I don’t know if there is some kind of specific training they could be given for unseating Russian troops from an area. I wish them all The luck in the world it’s a tough job. Battle field first aid and being able to get the wounded out fast is going to be very important skills to… Read more »
Soldjers acrually.
Different kettle of kippers Taiwan. In a perfect world China would question why Taiwan so desperately do not want to be a part of China, and maybe do some introspection and heaven forbid change a bit. But I cannot see that happening. Considering how many of our allies had to be dragged kicking and screaming away from Russian influence (a battle still ongoing) I can’t see us getting the same level of support with China. A lot of countries are a lot more reliant on China, for years it’s been a battle for the government in the UK or USA… Read more »
Any fighting in Taiwan and the worlds microchip supply freezes up. Ukraine’s only important export is food to the middle east and some parts of Africa. They will get backing.
18% of the worlds grain production including 40% of that used for food aid. Its not insignificant, look at the effect Russias 14% of fossil fuel production is having!
Taiwan has about 60% of global chip production but its mostly low end stuff, they only have around 20% of the high grade semiconductor market.
Do you have any recommended sources for this kind of information, my Google searches are coming up short. It was mostly the last statement that left me wanting clarification, as from my perspective TSMC are the world leaders in terms of cutting edge nodes.
Sorry I should be clear, high grade semiconductors arent always the smallest fabrication, if you went simply by who made the smallest (e.g. under 10nm) then yes it would be 8% in Japan and 92% in South Korea. However advanced semi conductors for specialist or military applications arent produced through being the smallest, rugged designs often have much higher fabrication size to resist ionising radiation, or offer higher precision and these tend to be produced in smaller batches in a lot more countries. You also have to consider the supply chains. Russia for example was one of the biggest producers… Read more »
Ah, thanks that makes much more sense now.
One of the big players is the factory in Wales I believe, cannot get the name to pop into my mind but that was sadly bought by a Dutch (Chinese owned) company which is another transfer of technology straight into China’s arms.
Well put…..my next question then is could they acquire nuclear weapons I.e being gifted them or would they have to produce their own?
myself I don’t think they would have time for the latter.
Honestly, I don’t know. I understand that both missiles and warheads need regular maintenance. If they were gifted them, I do not think they would have the capabilities to maintain them.
I’ve just done a search, and the Wikipedia article for Taiwan and nukes is most interesting (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction).
I read something about the states that “could” produce nukes if they needed to.
Germany and Japan, Japan I can see, Germany, well they are why the Frenchies have theirs.
I bet they both have designs ready to make.
If I was China I would be looking at ukraine and taking two things from it. Firstly they need to be in a position to have massively overwhelming numbers against a country that will miltarise, they need at least 20 to 1 advantage in both man power and equipment, probably double that. Russia had 2-3 to 1 advantage and that has turned out to be massively insufficient. They also need to get their troops and commanders combat experience, by getting involved in some smaller wars, probably in Africa or the middle East. The biggest problem for Russia has been the… Read more »
Not so sure it’s a shoe-in for China, though that does not not mean Xi won’t try – if he lasts. Taiwan strait averages 100 miles. This is similar to our task at D-day with the Normany beaches during the later stages of an existencial war. Thus not what amounts to a Chinese ‘ideal scenario’ when the mainland is not being threatened. The Nazis worked to a similar idea, and never came the other way.
Leave that to the Americans – they have nailed their colours to the mast. Biden said that the US would defend Taiwan if attacked but his lily-livered officials later tried to row back on that remark.
Good job somebody is, as Amnesty International (Yup that AI which got into bed with Al and the Taliban regards locking them up for uttering Alis snack bar before emualting the Queen of Hearts) is currently saying otherwise of the Ukraine. I suppose it could be worse, they could be blaming the Uk:
I do find things like this tricky, on the one hand organisations like this can be a force for good in the world, but one does frequently see blatent political bias in what certain groups choose to “shine a spot light” on issues dependant solely on their political alignment, for me that does somewhat invalidate the work they have to do. In this case, I imagine Ukraine probably aren’t being perfect, but for the love of God, their country is being invaded and their territory annexed by a nuclear armed aggressor. A bit of sensitivity towards this exceptional circumstance by… Read more »
Just a suggestion, but perhaps on a historical note your post could have suggested how many countries and territories has Russia invaded over the last 200 years as opposed to Ukraine as an independent country ?
Do amnesty international not release statements often condemning any kind of violence from all sides? I haven’t looked my self. These big organisations tend to be putting out info constantly. If their view is Ukraine are the bad guys and Russia is good something is seriously wrong with them.
Ukraine may have some bad elements from a few militias etc but it’s war so all hands to the pumps.
They do release reports on those doing wrong which of course seldom means the ‘West’ but whilst Ukraine has been promoted to an honoury member of the group its still has some baggage from the past, hence attracting the attention of AI. Given the size and solid construction of schools etc and the Ukrainian need for temporary accomodation etc then it was a no brain conclusion to use them, especially if they could generate a PR ‘win’ as well. “Amnesty International has in a surprise shift placed its human rights scrutiny on Ukraine in a fresh report released Thursday. It… Read more »
Zero hedge isn’t a site I find particularly impartial. Sometimes the front lines are at a town and unfortunately civilian houses, medical centres, schools become involved in the battles. I doubt the kids are sitting in class while down the corridor NLAWs are flying out the window. War is awful and the easiest way to stop it is for Russia to withdraw from all of Ukraine. The west can offer to pay generous resettlement costs to anyone wanting to go live in Russia. It’s the biggest country on Earth. Plenty space. Everyone is happy. Russia has a get out of… Read more »
The latest HIMARS destroyed by Russia doing the rounds on the Russian supporting sites.
It’s an ambulance🙈
Russkie muppets and retards!
Yaaaaaaawn fuck me that’s some repeated epic propaganda chuff you are vomiting out for us to rip to shreds! And condemnation yet of this illegal invasion of Ukraine by Putin? Or do you still actively and verbally support an illegal invasion and the murder, rape and torture of innocent civilians? I suppose you do as per norm.
Amnesty International is Anti-West.
They have to be pro facts and evidence not pro or against certain countries. If amnesty international isn’t then it needs to get to that or it’s loses any credibility
Just watched an update of the Russo_Ukrainian war At this moment there seems to be lots of Fires breaking out in Moscow ,? Could these be Red flag actions by Putin so as he can call for whole Country mobilisation or is it the well trained well led Ukrainian SF just wondering
Where was that update? Sounds a bit scary…
Or just weather related ?
Apparently A Diesel tanker was shoot at on the Main Moscow Ringroad the driver lost control tanker overturned and caught light big fire roads ashfelt melted and also caught light Russian spokeman stated it wasn’t an accident but a terrorist attack make of it what you want ” Terrorist Attack” or Red Flag op ?
Sorry False flag not Red flag
There is a large ish saboteur movement in Russia. I’ve stumbled across some quite detailed telegram accounts (not easy to find when you don’t have one yourself) detailing some of the work these Russian guys are up to. Most of the ones I saw concerned railroads and derailing trains. But there were a few arson ones on there too.
Thanks you and JohnG could be onto something. Read a lot about Russia but had no idea the opposition was that serious. 🤔🤔
What happens when you shut down democratic channels for dissent?
Other channels are created?
It would be good to see internal strife rocking Putins dictatorship but as usual any form of distain too he’s rule is classed as Ukrainian terrorism the only little problem with that scenario is these Fire’s seem too be Country wide from Siberia all the way west he’s going too need alot of Nouakchott too silence these critic of his rule
Yep. It fits in with why he daren’t order mobilisation. He thinks i*f things are bad now they could be uncontrollable if he went down that road. The only people who know how serious things are in a dictatorship are the Secret Police.
Thanks David he has a hold on his FSB the Russian public are well aware of this there can be no desent as you don’t know who you could be talking too quite a scare tactic that holds the population in check its a tried and tested form of terror that all Dictatorship’s have used one wrong word could end you up in prison (Gulag)
It does speak volumes about the Russian character. I speculate that in a vein it’s similar to the Scotts. I think it’s not much on UK mam as they are probably worried about giving people ideas
MSM*
Or it’s too nuanced for them ? Good stuff thanks.
How Russia’s anarchist saboteurs are destroying Putin’s war machine from within
https://apple.news/AYUPWLiIsR5ynatDNeQqJhw
A good read about sabotage in Russia. From the i
That’s a good read. Thank you.
Sorry is that meant to be Scots as in the race of Scottish people.
Are you suggesting terror attacks against the ruling in government?
If you are you are totally bonkers.
More chance of Nicola putting a thistle on the next PM chair as a prank.
What about every other area of the uk. Cornwall freedom fighters, Yorkshire pudding brigade, London city state supporters. Geez 🙄
No, I was talking about a near suicidal level of bravery. Doing what the Russian saboteurs are doing in the country they are doing it in first this bill for me.
I’ve noticed a similar repeating thread around folks from Scotland. It doesn’t mean all people from Scotland are like that, but the number of times i’ve read, observed or physically encountered Scottish people who have it has been rather frequent.
That said, the point was just mild speculation. No insults nor deeply scientific points meant.
Unless your going off on some tangent, trying to say there is no such thing as a Scottish person, character nor national identity, in which case you have lost me.
There is no way the Ukranians would be that dull.
Never a Dull moment with those guys of ,the Krakon and reformed Azov reigiments Can’t be bothered with terrestrial TV just love watching the updates on YouTube, Dave
I get good vibes from the CGS. Looks like a no nonsense type of guy.
I met him and worked for him in Oman on Ex Saif Sareea II. He was COS 1 Mech Bde and was a brilliant young Major.
Morning Graham. Yes, I recall you said you’d met him.
I’m working with a Bulgarian who has nothing but disdain for the Ukrainians who claimed to have seen evidence that the prison strike was Ukrainian. Didn’t probe, but, is there any evidence it was an American weapon dropped?
David Russian media posted a photo of two pieces of what they claimed was from a,Hmas missle that hit the Azov prison except it was the same photo which had been shown one week before after claims of another strike by HMARs are there different types of warhead for pinpoint GPS Hmars as the footage of the prison as shown by Russian media looks more like a thermobaric warhead everything was charred
Yes theres a fragmentation warhead for anti infantry/large area damage and a high explosive warhead for bigger bang but smaller area.
Theres also a larger calibre and much more expensive missile (Pod can only carry 2 rather than 6) that has three times the range and twice the explosive but hasnt been supplied to Ukraine.
A newer version of the higher calibre called Precision Strike Missile is just entering service now and wont really see mass rollout until 2025, that has five times the range of the basic low calibre missile.
Thanks watcher, was aware of those types of Hmas payloads ,it was just how that supposed Blue on Blue aftermath effect of damage caused was more akin too that of a Cave/tunnel clearer (thermobaric ) everything internal burnt outside of the building untouched
Some news the yanks now believe that the prison strike wasn’t Ukrainian and Congress have now allowed Hmas upgrade ATacms too be delivered to the Ukraine meaning no part of the illegal occupied Crimea and Putins Bridge is well within range Never a Dull moment Watcher
Congress has approved it but its still to be seen whether the Pentagon will sign off, they have blocked stuff in the past that was approved such as aircraft transfers.
Cheers Watcher let’s hope the Brass at the Pentagon take note that the use of thè ADAMS will only be used by the Ukrainians on Ukrainian territory ie the Crimea not for use against mainland Russia I’m sure that if given to Ukrainian on the provision that these weapons would only be used too retake the Crimea if not then the West could withdrawl all future supplies of Hmas
ATams bloody predictive TxT
This is where I think we are letting the Ukrainians down. They have fought the Russians to a stand still and are about to make their first efforts to push them back. This is going to take time. I believe the Russians have to date launched approx 5k missile and air attacks on Ukraine’s cities. Are we just going to let them continue? Even if we strengthen their air defences some missiles will get through. The only way to stop them murdering the Ukraine’s civilians is to give them the ability to hit back. Every time something goes bang in… Read more »
Cheers Chris ,that’s the only thing that the Yanks are afraid of ,if the Ukrainians were too use the Congress promised ATams against targets in Russia ,rather than in the illegally occupied Crimea, ,the Yanks don’t want the Conflict too escalate, even though now Putin is egging on Serbia to cause trouble with Kosovo which is protected by Nato peacekeepers too try and make a flare up in the Balkans divert attention and also much needed weapons to the Ukrainians so then he would have a breathing space for his special operation I just wish someone would do a special… Read more »
Did this Bulgarian have disdain for Ukrainians before this all kicked off ?? While they’re getting it tight at the moment, Ukraine has/had a bit of a reputation for their gangsters and corruption.
Corruption is the scourge of all the ex Soviet Republics Andy, Ukraine has taken great steps eliminate it, especially now the country is on a war footing!
Russia’s appalling corruption has certainly helped the Ukrainians, with the amount of equipment that’s been hamstrung by internal theft mate!
Evening John, the corruption was one of the things that was keeping them out of the EU I believe. While I totally get the EU wanting to get behind Ukraine (and agree with the notion), they maybe don’t hit all the requirements. Hopefully as you say this war will help to put some of the dodgy stuff to bed.
Zero.
You should stop talking to him.
If you look at the actual photos the way the furniture is burned and how the building is its clear to see it’s not been from an explosion especially the type a M31 warhead would make. The mostly likely cause is some kind of incendiary device thrown in. If there was a chance it was hit with a M31 rocket the Russians would be rolling out the red carpet for independent inspectors. Instead they refuse. Thing with HIMARS is the coordinates have to be put into the computer. I have no doubt the Americans have a link providing targets hit… Read more »
Thermobaric charge if you not burnt alive then asphyxiation caused by these weapons is a certainty Putin wanted the Azov removed rather than a fake Warcrimes trial the Geneva convention does not hold any threat too that Dictator
I like to think that I would be brave if it was me between the Russians and my family.
Exactly. Nothing brings bravery and willing to fight when it’s where you live and you have nowhere to run to.
Eleven Victoria Crosses at Rourke’s Drift.
How would he know about courage?.Must have stabbed his finger with a paper clip😜
Yaaaaaaawn