British SAS troops are on the ground in Kyiv, training Ukrainian soldiers on how to use anti-tank missiles, it is said.
Officers from two battalions said British special forces had visited them in the past two weeks for a critical course in dealing with powerful weapons supplied by the United Kingdom.
Previously, soldiers learned how to use them by watching videos on YouTube.
Britain first sent military instructors to Ukraine after the 2014 invasion of Crimea, but said it withdrew from the country in February to avoid the possibility of a direct conflict with Russia and NATO.
However, Captain Yuri Mironenko, whose battalion is based in Obolon on the northern outskirts of Kyiv, told The Times that training had resumed and was essential for recruits and returning veterans who have no experience with anti-tank missiles.
“We have received huge military aid from Britain,” he said. “But people who knew how to use NLAW were elsewhere, so we had to go to YouTube to learn for ourselves. You can learn in seven minutes, five to seven minutes.
“After that we had a good preparation. The British officers were here two weeks ago in our unit and trained us really well. And because we’ve had success, we have confidence now. “
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