Lithuania deploys military instructors in Ukraine to train country's National Guard 21407154

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Defence & Security News - Lithuania
 
Lithuania deploys military instructors in Ukraine to train country's National Guard
Lithuania is deploying 4 military instructors of the Lithuanian Armed Forces to train local military personnel alongside U.S. troops in Ukraine. The soldiers deployed to area of operations and will begin preparations for completing their assignment, announced the Lithuanian Defence Ministry on July 8th, 2015.
     
Lithuania sends first team of instructors in Ukraine 640 001
     
“Deployment of Lithuanian military instructors to Ukraine contributes to the enhancement and reform of the country’s armed forces and thus builds on the assistance measures already rendered to Ukraine,” Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas said.

The soldiers who will provide training for Ukrainian military are assigned to the Lithuanian Grand Duke Kęstutis Mechanised Infantry Battalion, Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf. “Our troops along with their counterparts from the U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade will be training members of the Ukrainian National Guard to carry out tasks individually and as part of a unit,” Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika said.

Lithuania contributes military instructors to the U.S.-led programme for training and equipping of the National Guard of Ukraine.

This is not the first time Lithuania is contributing to training Ukrainian troops. In the beginning of this year paramedics of the Lithuanian Armed Forces rendered medical support and assisted in training Ukrainian paramedics alongside U.S. soldiers.

Lithuania has been actively supporting Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, as well as providing support by every means possible and legally acceptable since the beginning of the aggression of the Russian Federation in the country.

Moreover, wounded members of Ukraine’s Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) are treated at the Military Rehabilitation Centre Druskininkai and civilian healthcare institutions. The cooperation with Ukraine is also developed through training Ukraine’s military personnel in Lithuania, organisation of joint exercises, establishment of the joint Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian Brigade, and in other areas.