The UK’s Royal Marines have trained the Ukrainian special forces unit known as the “Dnipro Devils,” who have been conducting daring raids on the Russian-occupied territory in southern Ukraine. The training involved instruction on commando raiding and complex amphibious operations, with more than 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers being trained over six months. The specific programs included survival, first aid, close-quarters combat, demolition, drone reconnaissance, and planning. The UK’s support is part of a broader international initiative, with other countries also contributing military instructors.
Key Points:
- UK’s Role in Training: The Royal Navy has revealed that it played a significant role in training and equipping Ukrainian forces, particularly the “Dnipro Devils,” in small-boat tactics and raiding operations.
- Content of Training: About 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers, including civilians with no prior military experience and veterans from the front line, were trained by British instructors in commando raiding, survival, first aid, use of modern weaponry, and other essential combat skills.
- Successful Operations: The training has led to successful operations by the Ukrainian forces, such as breaking through Russian lines, a result confirmed by pro-Russian bloggers.
- International Support: In addition to the UK’s training program, military instructors from countries like Australia, Canada, Denmark, and others have participated in the training of Ukrainian soldiers. The UK has committed to training 20,000 more recruits in 2023.
- Strategic Importance: The raids by Ukrainian forces tie up Russian defenders who might otherwise be deployed elsewhere, showing the effectiveness of the training and its impact on the broader conflict. The “Dnipro Devils” have become a significant element in the fight against Russian-occupied positions.
