Ukraine: Aussie soldiers could train Kyiv forces on the ground for war against Russia

Aussie soldiers could soon be on the ground to train Ukrainian personnel fighting Russia, the defence minister has revealed. 

Richard Marles said the federal government is actively considering sending Australian Defence Force members with combat experience to the war-torn country to help whip Ukraine forces into shape as Vladimir Putin’s bloody invasion continues.

The additional helps comes after Australia already sent $388 million to Ukraine’s war effort – with plans also in the works to provide additional military equipment.

‘We need to be making sure we are supporting Ukraine over the long term so that we’re putting them in a position where they can actually resolve this conflict and end it on their own terms,’ defence minister Marles said.

‘Training is one of the measures that is being looked at. We will be working up further support for Ukraine and that’s a conversation that we’re having.’

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko says Ukraine would welcome any training assistance from Australia. 

Richard Marles said the federal government was considering sending Australian personnel to train Ukraine forces on the ground in Europe

The UK has already given basic training to thousands of Ukrainian civilians through combat courses in England.

Myroshnychenko said the British training program had provided a ‘massive’ support to Ukraine – with New Zealand, Sweden and the Netherlands also sending military instructors.

During a visit to the UK last month, defence minister Marles revealed he was looking at the training issue in ‘a very active way’.

Ambassador Myroshnychenko said the training would help create a personal bond between the Australian and Ukrainian defence forces.

Marles and Myroshnychenko were meeting in Canberra on Monday when Russia launched its missile offensive on Kyiv and other cities.

At least 11 people have been killed by the assault, which came days after an explosion on a bridge linking Russia to the Crimean Peninsula.

Soldiers from Ukraine’s 80th air assault brigade were seen in a video released on Monday driving an Australian Bushmaster vehicle through a rural locality that had just been liberated

Russia’s deputy chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said the attack was merely the ‘first episode’ of Russia’s revenge for a blast which crippled the Crimea Bridge.

Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton provided in-principle support for the idea of Australian military travelling to Europe to provide training.

He said it could help ensure Ukraine is getting maximum value from the military equipment Australia is providing – including the Bushmaster.

Nicknamed ‘The Bushy’ – the 11-tonne armoured military vehicle is built in the Victorian city of Bendigo and is designed to deploy up to 10 soldiers to the battlefield. 

Australia has sent over 40 Bushmaster vehicles since the war broke out in February – garnering praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his soldiers.

The additional helps comes after Australia already sent $388 million to Ukraine’s war effort

The UK training includes weapons handling, battlefield first aid and patrol tactics.

The British government recently announced it was adding an extra two weeks to the course to include training in trench and urban warfare and vehicle-mounted operations.

Mr Zelensky last week said the Albanese government was preparing a ‘significant package’ of assistance in co-ordination with other nations, which will be announced soon.

‘This process is ongoing as we speak and I’m very grateful [for] that,’ he said. ‘It’s not only small arms but heavy weapons as well.’

Last week, Ukraine’s president praised Australia for sending him ‘heavy weapons’ to combat Russian forces in his country.  

Speaking to the Lowy Institute, Volodymyr Zelensky praised Australia’s aid in combatting Putin’s ‘nuclear blackmail’.

‘The more weapons and ammunition we receive — artillery, drones, anti-aircraft defence, anti-tank, anti-ship weapons — the more Russia feels the responsibility for violating international law and last, the aggressor will feel that he … has little room for any escalation element,’ Zelensky said, via videolink.