Ukrainian soldiers being trained by Royal Navy in Scotland amid Russian invasion

The Royal Navy is training Ukrainian soldiers off the coast of Scotland amid their campaign against Putin’s forces.

Ukraine’s deputy defence minister, Volodomyr Havrylov, met the troops being trained by the Royal Navy in Scotland with UK armed forces minister James Heappey

The inside look at mine-hunting training followed visits to Westminster and to witness Ukrainian infantry training in South West England.

Both ministers travelled to Scotland, where Ukrainian sailors are being trained to operate Sandown Class Minehunter vessels, ahead of the sale of two of these vessels in a deal agreed last year under the Ukrainian Naval Capabilities Enhancement Programme.

Havrylov and Heappey spoke with trainees and instructors, observing them as they practised key skills at sea – such as weapon drills and damage control – while also learning to operate the vessel machinery.

The visit came in the same week as defence secretary Ben Wallace unveiled plans to supply artillery guns, alongside hundreds of drones and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine in coming weeks.

Havrylov said: “I saw the brotherhood of Ukrainian and British soldiers working together to achieve a common goal – strengthening the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian army.

Ukrainian and Royal Navy engineers during machinery breakdown drills.

“We are very grateful to the government and people of the United Kingdom for their invaluable contribution to Ukraine’s success in repelling the Russian aggressors.”

Heappey said: “The intensity with which the Ukrainian soldiers and sailors are training is something to behold. They work with the focus of troops who know they’ll be fighting in a war in just a few short weeks’ time.

“Delivering training that matches that intensity and focus is not straightforward. The Royal Navy and the British Army are working long hours and drawing on all their operational experience to make sure their new Ukrainian friends are sent into combat with the best chance of victory.”