Ukrainian military will develop trench-digging skills that were previously taught to civilians. Photo: ALEXANDER KHUDOTEPLI/AFP/Getty Images
British Royal Engineers to train Ukrainian forces to defend vital energy infrastructure from long-range Russian attacks this winter.
The two-week course will help Ukrainian engineers better plan their defenses by trying protect civilians from Moscow's expected attempts to freeze the power grid. subjugate the war-torn country.
Grant Shapps, Defense Secretary, said: “It is vital that Ukraine receives the support it desperately needs throughout the winter as its civilian population faces mortal danger on a daily basis from Putin's forces and their indiscriminate bombing campaign against its critical infrastructure.
The exercise will build on previous methods taught to Ukrainian volunteers, including how to use sandbags for maximum defensive effectiveness and how to build trenches.
Kiev troops will learn to neutralize the impact various Russian weapons and create physical and air barriers to protect infrastructure from Moscow's attacks.
The training will take place at a gas plant, military airstrip and port complex in the UK.
As part of the overall aid package for Kiev, the UK plans to by the end of next year to train 37,000 Ukrainian recruits, including marines and tank operators, as part of Operation Interflex, the code name for the training mission.
«There is no doubt that this training will take place in Ukraine in the coming weeks and will have a real impact on the quality of life of its civilian population and Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian attacks throughout the winter,» he said. Major Michael Suddaby of 63 Works Group Royal Engineers.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has been accused of trying to freeze Ukraine out by targeting its heating and power grids as the cold winter months set in.
The new training plan comes as Britain and Kiev's other Western allies have already begun delivering more air defense systems to help support the Ukrainian army in the coming months.
Putin expected to target oil and gas plants this winter Photo: VINCENT MUNDY/BLOOMBERG
There are concerns that without additional support, Ukraine's existing network of air defense systems could be stretched too thin, protecting energy and port infrastructure as well as forward positions.
Russian troops caused significant damage to a thermal power plant. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, called a strike at the plant late Sunday on Monday.
The Ukrainian Air Force, meanwhile, said it shot down 14 Russian drones and one cruise missile fired during an overnight barrage.
Commander General Nikolai Oleschu showed footage of one of the six Hawk anti-aircraft missile systems donated by Spain and used to defend against the attack.
A short video shows the missiles. were launched into the night sky and exploded as they struck intended targets over Ukraine.
“Achieving 100 percent success is no easy task, but we are committed to getting closer every day as we strengthen our air defenses. — General Oleschuk wrote in the Telegram messenger.
“Western weapons have proven and continue to prove their effectiveness on the battlefield.”
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