Australia deploy 70 more defence personnel in UK to train Ukrainian recruits

Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles, MP, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, paid a visit to Australian soldiers stationed in the United Kingdom who are giving vital training to Ukrainian recruits (UK).

Along with their counterparts from the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP and Defence Secretary the Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, the ministers paid a visit to the multinational training operation that is headed and based in the United Kingdom.

In January, as part of the Australian Defense Force’s (ADF) Operation KUDU and to help with the training program, a group of up to 70 Australian Defense Force (ADF) troops deployed to the United Kingdom.

Operation KUDU is Australia’s way of showing its continuous support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of the country.

The participation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the multinational training program will assist in the development of additional capabilities that may be used to support Ukraine’s independent defense. In accordance with the program, no members of the ADF will travel to Ukraine.

Richard Marles said, “Today, I was honored to pay a visit to the Australian soldiers who have been stationed in the United Kingdom to take part in the multinational effort to assist in the training of Ukrainian recruits.” Richard Marles visited the Australian soldiers stationed in the United Kingdom.

“Australia, the United Kingdom, and our international partners will continue to stand with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion – and we saw that first-hand here today, as our soldiers worked shoulder-to-shoulder to help bolster the capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” said Australian Prime Minister. “Australia, the United Kingdom, and our international partners will continue to stand with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.”

“It is crucial that Australia continues to engage with the UK and other allies in support of the rules-based system in this unpredictable and complicated world,” Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said.

“In response to Russia’s obvious violation of the rules-based order, the Australian Government is committed to standing in solidarity with the Ukrainian government.”