Lithuania to continue training Ukrainian military instructors

The Lithuanian Armed Forces will continue to train Ukrainian instructors and military personnel and provide advisory support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on reform matters, said General Raimundas Vaikšnoras, Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

Lithuania's Armed Forces noted that Vaikšnoras made a statement during a visit to Ukraine after a meeting with Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the AFU, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

"The Lithuanian Armed Forces will continue to train Ukrainian servicemen in Lithuania and in the international formats of Interflex and EUMAM. We will continue to support the treatment and rehabilitation of wounded servicemen in military medical facilities," he said.

Vaikšnoras stressed that Lithuania will cooperate with Ukraine in the supply and coordination of military support, such as unmanned and anti-drone systems, artillery shells, integrated air defence systems, etc.

LRT reported that Vaikšnoras had met with the AFU leadership, visited a training centre for unmanned systems, and toured a company-sized stronghold near Kyiv, which was a key element in the capital's successful defence during the early stages of the large-scale war.

One of the main objectives of the visit was to establish connections regarding lessons learned, particularly in fortification construction, and to gather best practices from Ukrainian soldiers.

To note, recent reports indicated that 30 Ukrainian instructors from recruit training centres are set to receive additional training in Lithuania the following year. A convoy of 19 vehicles has departed from Latvia to be delivered for the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Lithuania has been actively involved in training Ukrainian military instructors as part of its broader contribution to international defence assistance. The Lithuanian Armed Forces, in coordination with the UK and EU, participate in Operation Interflex, which provides training to Ukrainian recruits.

As of 2024, Lithuania is involved in training programs for around 1,600 Ukrainian service members, focusing on essential military skills such as combat operations and leadership courses. These programs, running within both Lithuanian and UK frameworks, aim to prepare Ukrainian forces for various battlefield roles.

In addition, Lithuania continues its support under the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM), which includes specialized courses like infantry tactics, shooting, and anti-aircraft training. This collaboration is crucial for enhancing Ukraine's defence capabilities during its ongoing conflict.

By Khagan Isayev