King Charles meets Ukrainians training in England as they prepare to fight against Putin in brutal war

The King watched a defensive training exercise and met some of the soldiers training with British and international partner forces
The King watched a defensive training exercise and met some of the soldiers training with British and international partner forces | Chris Jackson
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 20/02/2023

- 16:09

Updated: 23/02/2023

- 16:05

Ukrainian recruits are in the UK for a five-week training programme

King Charles has visited Ukrainian recruits undergoing training in Wiltshire.

The King watched a defensive training exercise and met some of the soldiers training with British and international partner forces.


His Majesty was accompanied by General Sir Patrick Sanders, the Chief of General Staff.

The programme delivers basic combat training to Ukrainians, who will then return to fight in their country.

King Charles III (right) meets Major Tony Harris ahead of a trench attack and defence simulation during a visit to a training site for Ukrainian military recruits, in Wiltshire, where recruits are completing five weeks of basic combat training by British and international partner forces, before returning to fight in Ukraine. Picture date: Monday February 20, 2023.
The programme has seen 10,000 Ukrainian troops brought to battle readiness
Chris Jackson

King Charles III meets Ukrainian recruits during a visit to a training site for Ukrainian military, in Wiltshire, where recruits are completing five weeks of basic combat training by British and international partner forces, before returning to fight in Ukraine. Picture date: Monday February 20, 2023.
Chris Jackson

The King met other international military personnel who are helping the Army with the training.

So far 10,000 Ukrainian troops brought to battle readiness in the past six months and the programme aims to train a further 20,000 this year.

Trainees are being taught techniques such as the use of Javelin surface-to-air missiles and studying different types of Russian vehicles.

It comes as Rishi Sunak has warned that Putin has gambled the UK's support of Ukraine will falter and that Nato will lose their nerve in supporting the next phase of the war.

During a speech at the Munich Security Conference this weekend, the Prime Minister also committed to matching or exceeding the £2.3billion that was given to Ukraine in 2022.

Sunak said: "We gave £2.3billion last year – and we will match or exceed that in 2023. Now other allies can tell a similar story – and our collective efforts are making a difference.

"But with every day that passes, Russian forces inflict yet more pain and suffering. Now the only way to change that is for Ukraine to win.

"So we need a military strategy for Ukraine to gain a decisive advantage on the battlefield to win the war, and a political strategy to win the peace.

Rishi Sunak has warned that Putin has gambled the UK's support of Ukraine will falter and that NATO will lose their nerve in supporting the next phase of the war.
Rishi Sunak has warned that Putin has gambled the UK's support of Ukraine will falter and that NATO will lose their nerve in supporting the next phase of the war.
Oli Scarff

"To win the war, Ukraine needs more artillery, armoured vehicles and air defence. So now is the moment to double down on our military support.

"When Putin started this war, he gambled that our resolve would falter. Even now, he is betting that we will lose our nerve. But we proved him wrong then. And we will prove him wrong now."

He continued: "Together we’re delivering as much equipment in the next few months as in the whole of 2022. And together we must help Ukraine to shield its cities from Russian bombs and Iranian drones.

"And that’s why the UK will be the first country to provide Ukraine with longer-range weapons.

"And it’s why we’re working with our allies to give Ukraine the most advanced air defence systems, and build the air force they need to defend their nation."

King Charles III meets with Ukrainian recruits during a visit to a training site for Ukrainian military recruits, in Wiltshire, where recruits are completing five weeks of basic combat training by British and international partner forces, before returning to fight in Ukraine. Picture date: Monday February 20, 2023.
Chris Jackson