New Zealand authorities said Monday that 66 Army personnel will be transferred to the United Kingdom for training of Ukrainian military personnel in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The New Zealand Ministry of Defense said in a statement that the country’s Armed Forces «will continue to play a key international role in supporting Ukrainian forces in defending themselves against attacks by the Russian army.
«The professionalism, dedication and commitment of our personnel has been recognized by our partners, who will continue to work towards making an impact on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself,» said Admiral Jim Gilmour.
As he explained, the deployment will be completed by mid-2023. However, there are already 135 members of the New Zealand Army in the United Kingdom and other countries in Europe as part of the measures jointly put in place.
The document points out that the training includes tactical exercises, practice and combat drills, as well as first aid and treatment in the event of war injuries.
Tom Kelly, a senior Army official, said that there is a «great sense of responsibility towards the Ukrainian soldiers» and that they are «working tirelessly to prepare them for the battlefield».
«The New Zealand training teams have been integrated and the Ukrainian servicemen are responding very well to the instructions given to them. There is humility, dedication and professionalism, and this has an impact on the battlefield,» he stressed.
