France already preparing Ukrainian brigade: Embassy reveals details
Illustrative photo: France trains a brigade of Ukrainian soldiers (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
French instructors are training the Ukrainian brigade named after Anna of Kyiv. During the exercises, tanks and other equipment are being used, according to the French Embassy in Ukraine.
As noted by the diplomatic representation, today, October 9, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu will meet with the soldiers from the Anna of Kyiv brigade.
The embassy emphasizes that France is the first country to train a full-fledged Ukrainian brigade on its territory. This initiative has no analogs in terms of the number of soldiers trained and the duration of the training.
"The training will involve the transfer of weapons and military equipment to closely simulate real conditions, utilizing French equipment that will later be used in combat," the embassy stated.
The diplomatic mission clarified that the training includes:
- Staff processes at the battalion and brigade levels
- Training of command personnel
- Infantry combat
- Armored combat using light tanks AMX-10RC
- Engineering combat
- Air defense using Mistral missiles
- Use of CAESAR artillery
As of September this year, France has trained nearly 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers under this program. Training is conducted in France and Poland, where Paris has sent about 100 instructors.
In turn, President Emmanuel Macron has already shared videos of the training.
Я взяв на себе це зобов’язання: зараз наші військові навчають 2300 українських солдатів у Гранд-Есті, з обладнанням, яке вони використовуватимуть під час місій.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 9, 2024
Бригада Анни Київської буде навчена та оснащена завдяки солідарності Франції. pic.twitter.com/6ewiQgqBk2
"I have taken on this commitment: our military is currently training 2,300 Ukrainian soldiers in Grand Est (a region in eastern France - ed.) with equipment they will use during their missions. The Anna of Kyiv brigade will be trained and equipped thanks to France's solidarity," the head of state said.
Training of the brigade in France
Back in June, Macron mentioned that France planned to train a brigade of Ukrainian military personnel. According to him, the training was intended for 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers.
On September 25, the French leader also discussed the training of the Ukrainian brigade with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
