UKRAINE soldiers training on British-donated artillery in Wiltshire are confident they will win their war with Russia.
They say that more than 30 155-millimetre AS90 self-propelled howitzer artillery guns being granted by the British Army will be a real “game-changer” in their bid to defeat Russia’s 554,000-strong invading army.
Around 140 Ukrainian soldiers have gone through a three-week training programme on Salisbury Plain, with the second cohort of 70 experiencing live firing with the guns for the first time.
A Ukrainian soldier said: “It absolutely will be a game-changer. It is very easy to have a good effect on our targets using this weapon.
“We would like to see as many tanks as possible from our Western partners, much more artillery, light tracked and light wheeled vehicles.
“As soon as we are confident in using these guns and finish our training we will go back to the Ukraine.”
The programme is part of the UK’s enduring commitment to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s unprovoked invasion.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ed Botterill, of the Royal School of Artillery, said the Ukrainian artillery soldiers have backgrounds ranging from experienced artillery soldiers to little or no military experience at all.
“Some come to us with a pretty good working knowledge and others with just basic training,” Lt-Col Botterill said.
“We are trying to teach a ‘zero to hero’ course but we find the plan changes on Day 2. To be honest, we often have to play it as we see it.
“Our aim is to improve their knowledge and share as much as we can so they can learn as much as possible and adapt to our teaching.”
More than 1,000 UK service personnel are involved in implementing the programme, which is taking place at Ministry of Defence sites across the South West, North West, and South East of the UK.
The Royal School of Artillery is carrying out the training, assisted by instructors from the 1st Regiment of Royal Horse Artillery and 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, backed by a team of more than 20 interpreters.
The ages of the 70 Ukrainian soldiers being trained in the second cohort ranges from 21 to the mid-50s and their morale and motivation is “off the charts”, according to RSA instructors.
Lt-Col Botterill said: “Morale among the Ukrainians is brilliant. We are providing as much training as we can squeeze in to send them on their way.
“The training has gone well. We are working Monday to Saturday, and long days.
“We have got a lot of interpreters and there are a lot of Ukrainian trainees with good English and some with none at all but we have got a common bond.”
The Ukrainian volunteer recruits have been given bespoke training in all aspects of operating and maintaining the AS90 system.
As part of an international programme involving nine nations, the UK is the first country to donate Western main battle tanks by gifting a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks with armoured recovery and repair vehicles.
It is also supplying a battery of eight AS90 guns at “high readiness” and a further two batteries at “varying states of readiness.”
The 24.7-kilometre range of the AS90s could make a significant difference to the Ukrainians’ defence of their homeland.
The UK has also gifted clothing and equipment to support the Ukrainian soldiers in their training and deployment back to Ukraine.
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