More than 60,000 Ukrainian service members have now completed military training in the United Kingdom under Operation Interflex, highlighting Britain’s central role in preparing Kyiv’s forces for high-intensity combat as the war with Russia continues.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence confirmed that over 62,000 troops from the Armed Forces of Ukraine have undergone training on British soil since the programme was launched in 2022. Funding for the operation has now been extended through to the end of 2026, ensuring that the UK will remain a key hub for training Ukrainian personnel for the foreseeable future.
Operation Interflex is one of the largest training missions ever conducted by the British Armed Forces for a foreign military. It replaced the earlier Orbital mission, which focused on long-term professional development before Russia’s full-scale invasion. Interflex, by contrast, is designed for wartime urgency, delivering rapid and intensive preparation for frontline deployment.
What Ukrainian Troops Learn in the UK
The core course, lasting several weeks, covers essential battlefield skills including infantry tactics, live-fire exercises, weapons handling, small-unit manoeuvres, mine and explosive safety, combat engineering, trench and urban warfare, and battlefield first aid. The curriculum is continuously updated to reflect real-time lessons from the front and evolving Russian tactics.
Training is delivered by British Army personnel alongside instructors from more than ten allied nations, embedding NATO standards and a wide range of operational experience. This multinational approach allows Ukrainian forces to integrate Western doctrine while adapting it to the realities of modern, large-scale warfare.
Strategic Importance for Britain and NATO
Defence officials in London say Interflex demonstrates the UK’s long-term commitment to European security and to strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. The programme also feeds into wider military cooperation, including recent agreements between the UK and Ukraine on sharing battlefield data to improve weapons performance and accelerate technological development.
British commanders involved in the operation have described it as a critical contribution to sustaining Ukraine’s combat effectiveness while reducing casualties through improved training, coordination and medical readiness.
Support Beyond the Battlefield
Alongside training, the UK continues to supply weapons, ammunition and intelligence support to Kyiv, positioning Operation Interflex as part of a broader strategy to help Ukraine maintain resistance and stability as the conflict enters its third year.
Ukrainian defence officials said the programme is not only strengthening frontline capability but also building long-term resilience by ensuring soldiers return to the battlefield with skills aligned to NATO standards and modern warfare demands.