Two years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian soldiers are being trained by Allied forces at a purpose-built combat training camp in an undisclosed location in eastern England.
Operation Interflex is the code name for the training program of the British armed forces, which aims to train and prepare Ukrainian recruits to fight the Russian aggressor.
Colonel James Thurston, the commander of the British Army, who led the operation, said that "the will of the Ukrainians to victory is being formed and is as strong as ever".
As the war continued, some of those involved were interviewed by the BBC.
War in Ukraine on the map: Russia is making limited progress.
Hard and fast".
Corporal Biggs, 29, is from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and currently serves in the 1st Battalion of the Anglican Royal Regiment.
He is working with military colleagues from Australia to train Ukrainian soldiers in a simulated village built at a secret location in East Anglia.
"Their job is basically to clean up [the villages] one by one," he said. ”
He added that the five-week training course was "absolutely hard and fast".
Military personnel from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania and the Netherlands are operating in multiple locations in the UK.
"The training we provide is definitely beneficial and will have an impact when they come back (Ukraine) because they are well trained and able to fight better," he added. ”。
Our spirit is strong".
Ihora (not his real name), who has served in Ukraine for 10 years, said that he had been "involved in the liberation of the Kharkiv region" before coming to the UK.
He added that so far he and his colleagues have had "only positive experiences" in the training.
Ihora said that while he had "a very good previous experience," the "most beneficial" part of the course included "urban work......and cleaning ditches".
Speaking about his loved ones back home, he said: "I'm worried about my family, but our national spirit is very strong, we're united as a nation – we do believe in victory – we're moving towards victory." ”
Wolf at the door" Sergeant May has been in the British Army for 11 years and is currently conducting a combat course for platoon sergeants as part of Operation Interflex.
Sergeant May, 31, originally from Newmarket, Suffolk, served in Afghanistan and has since trained Army personnel from around the world.
The training course, he said, was "extremely important".
In a few weeks, the Ukrainians will be back on the front lines – so whatever help we can do is good. ”
"The wolves have come to their doorstep, so realism shows that each and every one of them is willing to learn the tactics we are implementing," he added. ”