Several Ukrainian soldiers who completed NATO training in Britain, Spain, Germany or Poland have expressed disappointment with the courses. The organization’s strategies are inapplicable – and the attacked country cannot afford to do without experienced soldiers to send them for training.
The French newspaper ‘Le Monde’ reported on the dissatisfaction of Ukrainian fighters, some of whom were sent thousands of kilometers to the West for training. “The work here is only done by the infantry in small groups – we cannot use the NATO strategy in that way. NATO will understand at some point,” said Ihor, who serves as deputy commander of a mortar unit in embattled Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.
Soldier warns: ‘Russia does not have a weak army’
“There is a shortage of soldiers. We cannot afford to do without experienced soldiers by sending them to train in new technologies and battle tactics,” Ihor criticized. A colleague fears that the West underestimates Moscow: “Russia does not have a weak army. They have adapted very quickly, they have a human reservoir that we do not have and material in abundance,” says battalion commander Vadim. He would like to see NATO trainers sent to the Ukrainian front for a month. “You will see things change every day.”
Translation errors cause confusion
In addition to the lack of training, the language barrier is also a problem. “At one point the coaches told us that we had to pay attention to our own safety before thinking about the injured. The Ukrainian translators understood: ‘If you are injured, kill them for your safety,'” said 24-year-old soldier Yeyhen, who trained in Britain last year.
Soldiers prefer to obtain information via YouTube
The training is unrealistic, he explains. “The training activities were limited to infantry movements without enemy fire, without grenades, without minefields and without snipers, although this is our daily life on the ground.” He would therefore prefer to know more about the use of new weapons or war tactics. on Youtube.
“Countries that don’t fight teach us how to fight”
Sergeant Vasil was also disappointed with the NATO training he had organized together with the British and Danes. “I told them that the NATO manuals do not apply to Ukraine, such as attacking the trenches,” the soldier said. He also used YouTube to plan missions or overcome disagreements. Moreover, the use of drones in training was neglected. “We used drones only once to observe our infantry maneuvers from the air,” said Vasil, who emphasized that unmanned aerial vehicles were part of the daily war. “Countries that don’t fight teach us how to fight. The opposite should be the case.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
