On October 1, 160 km away from the border with Ukraine at the Lipa Training Area in Poland, the OP-LEGIO training facility for training Ukraine’s new brigade was officially opened. The support Lithuania renders alongside the other Baltic states, Nordic countries and Poland encompasses personnel training, weaponry and equipment.
“The Lithuanian Armed Forces plan contributing a 21-strong mobile training team, drill ammunition and grenades. Moreover, we will buy and transfer to the Ukrainian Brigade drone jamming equipment produced by Lithuania and night vision equipment worth approx. EUR 12 million. We support the Armed Forces of Ukraine with Lithuanian-made products which they have already put to test on the frontlines and approved of. We always include Lithuanian manufacturers into the planning process based on Ukraine’s requests when it comes to the assistance for Ukraine,” says Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė.
The project was born in response to the call by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy put forward to three partners in late 2024. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost personnel and equipment in great number to protect its territory so far, therefore developing a new brigade is critical for replenishing Ukraine’s defensive military capabilities as quickly as possible. The Lipa Training Area is strategically convenient for personnel training and deployment to the frontline because of its proximity to the border with Ukraine.
