The UK has started turning the first of around 10,000 Ukrainian recruits into frontline soldiers at four bases across England, safe from Russian missile fire, it can be revealed.
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The new troops, operating in groups of about 200, have been arriving from Ukraine daily to join a specially-condensed training programme offered by British soldiers. They will then return home to fight Russia's invading forces.
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British commanders aim to have 2,400 recruits rotating through the course at any one time as they mobilise to meet a target of training 10,000 Ukrainian personnel within 120 days.
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With Ukraine losing up to 200 soldiers every 24 hours in its war with Russia, the ability to generate manpower is vital. These are "battle casualty replacements", a senior officer said.
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Running the training programme in the UK gives the recruits the chance to learn from British soldiers and - crucially - protects them from the threat of Russian attacks.
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A Ukrainian training facility was hit in an airstrike last month as a number of trainees prepared to make their trip to Britain.
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Defence Secretary @BWallaceMP - a potential contender to become the next prime minister - visited a training site in northwest England on Thursday to meet recruits and speak with commanders.
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He signalled that the UK could offer to train even more than the target of 10,000 recruits.
"If the Ukrainians ask for more, we'll be open to more," Mr Wallace said.
Asked how many more, he said: "We could do thousands and thousands."
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"If the Ukrainians ask for more, we'll be open to more," Mr Wallace said.
Asked how many more, he said: "We could do thousands and thousands."
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