His Majesty The King visited Ukrainian military recruits undertaking training in the South West of England on Monday 20 February 2023.
The King watched a short defensive training exercise by recruits who are undertaking a combat course before returning to fight in Ukraine.
His Majesty, who was accompanied by the British Army’s Chief of The General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen, was given a brief outline of the training being delivered before witnessing a demonstration of some of the skills the recruits are learning.
It was an honour to join His Majesty The King in meeting Ukrainian recruits undertaking vital training in the South West of England today General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff
Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen said:
“It was an honour to join His Majesty The King in meeting Ukrainian recruits undertaking vital training in the South West of England today."
“This is an international training effort being led by the UK and partner nations and has seen over 10,000 Ukrainian recruits complete the programme.”
His Majesty also met many of the Ukrainian recruits and their interpreters and also spoke to some of the military personnel from 1st Battalion Irish Guards and the Ranger Regiment who are delivering the training. Also present were those who have joined forces with the British Army, including instructors from the New Zealand, Australian and Canadian forces.
To hear that The King was coming to visit was very exciting, not only for the Ukrainian recruits but also for those of us who are training them. It means a lot to us all to know that he is keen to understand what is taking place here Captain Bradshaw, 1st Battalion The Irish Guards said:
Captain Freddie Bradshaw, Company Second in Command, 1st Battalion Irish Guards said:
“To hear that The King was coming to visit was very exciting, not only for the Ukrainian recruits but also for those of us who are training them. It means a lot to us all to know that he is keen to understand what is taking place here.”
The course is 35-days long and trains the recruits with two primary principles providing the backbone of the training – survivability and lethality. The recruits are being taught how to survive in a hostile environment and how to use deadly force against their adversaries. Key focus areas include basic fieldcraft, medical care, marksmanship and weapon handling.
Most of the recruits have little or no military experience when they arrive on the course, though some have experience fighting on the frontline.
The UK, along with its international partners, has trained just over 10,000 Ukrainian recruits in the last six months.