This footage shows Ukrainian civilians training in Britain to be soldiers so they can defend their country against the Russian invaders.
The images show Ukrainian recruits training somewhere in the United Kingdom using practice assault rifles in what appears to be a mixed environment that includes forested terrain and a partially destroyed red-brick building.
The footage was obtained from the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of the United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 3, along with a short statement posted on Twitter saying: “Less than 2 weeks ago these men were Ukrainian civilians. Now they are training to be ready for combat on the front line.
“Ukrainian soldiers have been taking part in U.K.-led military programs up and down the country.”
Zenger News contacted the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom for further comment, as well as the Ukrainian and Russian Ministries of Defense, but had not received a reply at the time of writing.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation”. Thursday marks the 162nd day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and August 4, Russia had lost about 41,500 personnel, 1,789 tanks, 4,026 armored combat vehicles, 946 artillery units, 260 multiple launch rocket systems, 118 air defense systems, 223 warplanes, 191 helicopters, 742 drones, 182 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,960 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 83 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
The United Nations is carrying out a fact-finding mission after requests from both Russia and Ukraine following the deaths of 53 Ukrainian POWs in an explosion at a barracks at the Olenivka prison in pro-Russian-controlled Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.
The United States Senate has ratified Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO, with 95 voting in favor and one vote against. The U.S. is now the 23rd NATO member to ratify the countries’ bids to join the alliance. All 30 members have to ratify their bids before Finland and Sweden can become members.
The first grain ship exporting food from Ukraine under a deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations has reached Turkey. It is the first of 27 ships planned so far that, it is hoped, will help fight the global food crisis. It has been inspected and is now expected to move through to the other side of the Bosphorus Strait.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has faced criticism for having a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin after traveling on holiday to Moscow.
Speaking in New York on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that record profits posted by oil and gas companies amid the war in Ukraine amount to “grotesque greed” and urged governments to implement windfall taxes to raise funds to help those most in need.
