Ukrainian soldiers learn principles of trench warfare in England ahead of war with Putin’s invaders
UKRAINIAN soldiers learn the principles of trench warfare in England as they prepare to repel Vladimir Putin’s invaders.
Almost 10,000 brave Ukraine recruits have charged through basic training – including horrific trench warfare – to help them repel Russia’s bloodbath.
Ukraine President Zelensky said swathes of eastern Donbas were “soaked in blood” after months of non-stop slaughter.
His troops have won back more than half the ground Russia seized since February but fierce clashes are raging in eastern Donbas.
Zelensky said: “Trenches in the Donbas change hands several times a day in fierce combat and even hand-to-hand fighting.
“Every inch of that land is soaked in blood.
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“Roaring guns sound every hour.”
Troops learnt battlefield first aid, infantry tactics and how to clear enemy trenches – where the bloodiest close quarters battles are fought.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Russia’s scorched earth tactics evoked “battles of World War One”.
He vowed to train another 10,000 Ukraine volunteers next year and step up “lethal aid” after Britain sent thousands of anti-tank, anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, armoured vehicles and Sea King helicopters.
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Wallace said: “Having put almost 10,000 through their paces in the UK in 2022, my ambition is for our Armed Forces – alongside our allies – to at least double the number trained in 2023.”
Britain has also sent thousands of winter uniforms keep soldiers warm in the freezing trenches.
Troops from Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Australia have trained Ukraine’s forces at four UK camps, including in Cumbria and on Salisbury Plain.