UK Extends Training Program for Ukrainian Troops Until End of 2026

The United Kingdom will continue training Ukrainian troops under Operation Interflex until at least the end of 2026.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Bloomberg, citing Britain’s Ministry of Defence. 

Launched in 2022, Operation Interflex is one of the largest military training initiatives in Europe. It provides both combat and leadership instruction for new recruits, many of whom arrive with little or no previous military experience. 

According to the ministry, more than 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already completed the program in the UK, returning home with the skills necessary to serve effectively on the battlefield.

Defence Secretary John Healey stressed that extending the mission is vital for Ukraine’s resilience and deterrence. 

“We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow,” Healey said. “In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraine’s Armed Forces in the strongest possible position. And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace.”

Operation Interflex is multinational in scope, drawing on instructors not only from the British Armed Forces but also from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden. 

Analysts say that this blend of training, equipment, and allied coordination will be crucial in shaping Ukraine’s capacity to hold its ground and eventually achieve a durable peace.

As The Gaze reported earlier, Britain signaled to Washington that it is ready to contribute troops to help secure Ukraine’s skies and ports, though not to fight on the front line against Russian forces.