– So far I have been involved in the training of around 100 soldiers, claims “Peder”. The Norwegian has 12 years behind him in the Norwegian armed forces, but is now located near Odesa, in the south of Ukraine. He says that together with a group of around 25 people, including Norwegians, Danes and Swedes, he has taken on responsibility for the training of a brigade in the Ukrainian army. The training of Ukrainian soldiers mostly takes place on training fields some distance from the front. Photo: Privat As important as weapons – This training is as important as the weapons we receive from many Western countries. That’s what “Nick” says, a former policeman and now Ukrainian soldier, whom news has spoken to. He says that he is particularly satisfied with the training he has received in sanitation, which is very important in being able to save those who are injured in the battles at the front. Nick immediately enlisted in the army after the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24th. But like 90 percent of the others who have signed up for service, he had little or no military experience. Training in first aid is one of the things the Ukrainian army needs the most. Photo: Private – From the police, I had experience in shooting with a gun and some courses in first aid. But in war there are completely different needs. Nick says he is very satisfied with the training he has received on the courses led by Norwegians, Swedes and Danes. news has sent an inquiry to the press department of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They write that they are not aware that Ukrainian soldiers are being trained under the auspices of veterans from Scandinavia. But from the very start of the war in 2022, Ukraine has said that volunteers are welcome to fight on their side. This has largely happened in a separate legion, which has, among other things, taken part in the battles for Kharkiv in the east of the country. Ukrainian soldiers in Donbas with a drone to be provided by Veteran Aid Ukraine. Photo: Private Veteran Aid Ukraine For security reasons, “Peder” will not give his full name. But news knows his real identity. It was he who told news that the group “Veteran Aid Ukraine” has sent 28 drones to the Ukrainian army. These are drones which are said to have also been used in attacks against the Russian forces. He says that the training program that he is now participating in is not a direct part of Veteran Aid Ukraine, but something that he has joined on his own initiative. – We who participate in this educational program have a wide range of knowledge within military disciplines, says the Norwegian on the phone from Odesa in Ukraine. This is one of the 28 drones that Veteran Aid Ukraine has handed over to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Photo: Privat Previously, it was known that a large group of volunteers, primarily from Sweden, had traveled to Ukraine to fight against the Russian invaders. A Swedish soldier was also captured during the battle for Mariupol, but was later released in connection with a larger prisoner exchange. Someone wants to take pictures for Instagram news has also been in contact with a Swede who calls himself Lucas and who has been central to the Scandinavian community who now conducts training near Odesa. Lucas says that he has worked with three people from Norway. Two of these have a background from the defence. He denies that it has been right-wing extremists who have volunteered for the service. But he admits that they have received inquiries from people who have nothing to do in Ukraine. – These are people who came to Ukraine to take pictures for Instagram. Others have lied about their skills. We’ve had people who say they’ve been on special boards for five years, but then it turns out they don’t know anything, says Lucas to news. Far-right Norwegian enlisted in Ukrainian combat unit Viktor Forsmark, who has a background in the Swedish armed forces, told Sweden’s TV 4 on November 4 that there is a separate Swedish volunteer company in Ukraine. – Company 312 also has people from, among other things, Norway, said Forsmark. He said their task was primarily support functions, such as sanitation. At the same time, the Norwegian armed forces have also started a separate, official training program for Ukrainian soldiers. But this mainly happens on British soil. Ukrainian soldiers receive Norwegian training on British soil Increased need – Our work towards Ukraine started somewhat in secret, says “Peder”. We tried to do some good deeds without feeling that we needed any attention. This was the background for Veteran Aid Ukraine. The group now operates with open pages on social media, including Twitter. According to Peder, the increasing openness has come about because they have seen that the needs on the ground in Ukraine have increased. It has therefore become necessary to open up a little more in order to reach potential donors. The Norwegian claims it has yielded results, both in terms of money and equipment. Ukrainian soldiers in Donbas with a drone to be provided by Veteran Aid Ukraine. Photo: Privat Back to Ukraine over the New Year Peder says that he is planning to stay a few more weeks in Ukraine, before he goes home to celebrate Christmas in Norway. He will also use his time in Norway to raise more money and equipment for the Ukrainian army. Over the New Year, he will return to continue the training of Ukrainian soldiers, together with his Swedish and Danish colleagues. This picture is supposed to show the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine, under the instruction of veterans from the Norwegian army. Photo: Private – The brigade registers needs, then we carry out the training they want, says Peder. He says that he has now been in the Odesa area for about two weeks. At the moment, there are around 15 Scandinavians participating in the training of the Ukrainian brigade, according to Peder. What he has seen and heard about the Russian army does not scare anyone. – Everyone thought that the Russian army was the second best in the world. Now they are hardly the second best in Ukraine, says the Norwegian.
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Norwegians say they train soldiers in Ukraine – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
