Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas and Chief of Defence Lt Gen Valdemaras Rupšys are visiting the United Kingdom on February 27–28 to meet with Lithuanian servicemembers training Ukrainian colleagues at the international training effort, Operation Interflex.
“It is a pleasure to see the Allied efforts to step up the training assistance to Ukraine expand, where our military instructors are contributing by training the Ukrainians at national level in Lithuania and with international initiatives, such as Operation Interflex. Our troops are equipping the Ukrainians with skills that are critical on the battlefield of the war against the brutal invaders. We have to continue supporting Ukraine in every way possible. Russia will lose!” says Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
Lithuanian military instructors have been serving in the operation since the autumn 2022. The current, 18th Lithuanian rotation has been providing training to the Ukrainians since January 25, and 7 more rotations are foreseen.
“Providing training to the Ukrainians is our strength and privilege. We are not at the fore front with our weaponry or equipment but the training and experience of our military are critical to the Ukrainians in this fight. The training operation Interflex is one more chance to add experience, as trainers or by familiarizing with the tactical lessons learned by the Ukrainians on the battlefield,” Chief of Defence Lt Gen V. Rupšys shared thoughts.
The 5-week basic military training course is delivered in the British military training infrastructure. Lithuanian troops are teaching the Ukrainians alongside British, Australian, New Zealand, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finish troops.
Up to 10,000 Ukrainian defenders were trained as a result of Operation Interflex in 2022. The Lithuanian military instructors plan equipping with basic tactical skills approx. 500 Ukrainian colleagues in 2023.
Photo credits: Sgt Spc 1st Class Ieva Budzeikaitė
Information credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
