Major Milestones Reached in Military Training Efforts for Ukraine Despite Gaza Taking Center Stage

A French Army base in France is currently hosting a training program for Ukrainian soldiers, as part of a European Union military assistance mission for Ukraine. The goal of the program is to shape and improve Ukrainian troops into better and more lethal warriors. The training includes combat simulations and specialized military know-how, such as mine clearing and waterborne attacks.

The French army has trained around 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers this year, with the expectation to reach 35,000 by the end of the year. This training program is crucial for Ukraine as it continues to hold out against Russian forces. The United States has also trained approximately 18,000 Ukrainian soldiers, mainly in Germany, with an additional 1,000 in the pipeline.

In addition to basic training, the instructors are also focusing on tactics and maneuvering schemes that could help Ukrainian forces break through Russian defenses. The French trainers have created realistic scenarios, including using animal remains to harden the troops to battlefield bloodshed.

The training program has been successful in transforming civilians into soldiers, as observed by their determined and unsmiling looks. The soldiers address each other with nicknames and have adopted a soldier-like demeanor. The program aims to prepare the Ukrainian troops for the grim future they will face when they return home and are sent to the front lines against Russian forces.

The French trainers, however, maintain a professional distance from the trainees, as they understand that some of them will likely be killed back home. They believe that maintaining emotional distance is necessary to avoid questioning their own actions if a trainee is killed.

Overall, the training program provided by Ukraine’s allies, including France and the United States, is helping Ukraine hold out against the Russian invasion and increasing its odds of eventual victory. The EU mission’s goal is to train 15,000 soldiers, but it has exceeded that target and expects to train 35,000 soldiers by the end of the year. This support from international allies indicates their commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long haul.