IT looks like the Eastern Front in Ukraine but these soldiers are training in Salisbury Plain to repel Vladimir Putin’s invaders.
Learning battlefield first aid as well as infantry tactics, the brave soldiers also learn how to clear enemy trenches – where the bloodiest close quarters battles are fought.
2A soldier holds a rifle to another troop’s head in trainingCredit: AFP
2The Ukrainians are training in Salisbury Plain to repel Vladimir Putin’s invadersCredit: PAAustralian armed forces are supporting the UK-led training – which has seen more than a thousand Ukranians come over to go through the rigorous simulations – with the newest batch of trainees arriving on Wednesday.
James Cleverly said: “The UK and Australia are the best of mates and for over a century we have been hard-headed champions of freedom and democracy.
“In an increasingly volatile world, we are pursuing a forward-looking agenda with Australia as a trusted partner and friend.”
This summer, infantrymen and women from the British 5th Rifles were due to go on holiday after being on exercise in Canada but all leave was cancelled so they could train Ukraine’s raw recruits.
One warrant officer told his wife: “Sorry, the holiday’s off. These men are fighting a war — war is what we do. We have to help them.”
While Cpl Angus Humphrey-Lomberg says: “We’re teaching them to survive and be lethal, making them hard to kill and to be efficient and effective killers.”
Story Credit: thesun.co.uk