The Home Guard trains Ukrainian soldiers at Værnes in Trøndelag – news Trøndelag

– It is actually important for our security and preparedness that Putin does not win in Ukraine. Then we must stand up and help the Ukrainians defend themselves. This is what Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) says. On 24 April, a hundred Ukrainian soldiers landed at Værnes to train together with the Home Guard. On Friday, he will be in place during training. – It is important for them, but also for us. That’s why I’m happy that we can contribute in this way by training the soldiers, says Gram. The soldiers will be here for four weeks, before a new pool of a hundred soldiers arrives. The hundred who are now training at Værnes are the first of seven contingents to arrive this year. The Ukrainian soldiers will, among other things, train in sharpshooting and team leadership during their stay in Norway Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news They will also train in sanitation. Here they help an “injured” Norwegian soldier. Photo: Morten Andersen / news Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) (th) says that the Ukrainian soldiers are going to the front to defend their country, which means that Norway must equip them as well as possible. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news This year alone, it is planned that 7 contingents of Ukrainian soldiers will go on training in Norway. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news After the hundred soldiers have finished four weeks of training in Trøndelag, there will be a short break before a hundred new ones arrive here. Photo: Morten Andersen / news The Ukrainian representatives say they are satisfied with the program and the instructors. Training with working people Many of the Ukrainian soldiers who are now training at Værnes have been in conflict. With them they have the Home Guard, which consists of ordinary workers: electricians, nurses, teachers. – I think it feels enriching. I think everyone feels that this is motivating and that you are making a small contribution to the serious situation in Europe. That’s what Jens Christian Junge, head of Trøndelag Home Protection District, says. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram says that Norway will stand by Ukraine as long as there is a need for it. – It is not power that can win in Europe, it is right that must be the basis. Putin cannot win. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) (tv) in conversation with the commander of the Ukrainian forces in Norway and company commander Otto Løvland, commander of HV-12. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news Attend several courses news has also spoken with Ukraine’s Senior National Representative, via an interpreter. The person’s identity is kept hidden. – The soldiers know that it is safe to be here, so that they can do their best and train in the best possible way, which is important for their future. The Ukrainian representative says they are satisfied with the training and the instructors. The soldiers will do different tasks after the training, but some of the soldiers will be sent to the front. – For the future, we hope that Ukrainian soldiers can still take part in courses like this, and perhaps even more often. The Ukrainian representative talks about good experiences with the training stay in Norway. Photo: Morten Andersen / news



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