Soldiers from SA’s 7th Battalion heading to the UK to help train Ukrainian recruits

South Australian soldiers will soon be heading overseas to help train Ukrainian troops, with a farewell ceremony planned for next week.

Australian Army soldiers are being deployed to the UK as part of Operation Kudu. Picture: Supplied

South Australian soldiers will soon be heading overseas to help train Ukrainian troops, with a farewell ceremony planned for the battalion on Monday January 8.

On Monday, Assistant Minister for Defence the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite will join South Australian parliamentary members and representatives of the Ukrainian community to farewell soldiers from the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment as they head to the UK.

South Australian soldiers are heading to the UK as part of Operation Kudu in the United Kingdom. Picture: Supplied by ADF

Australian Army soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conduct morning physical training in the United Kingdom during Operation KUDU. Picture: Supplied by ADF

Operation Kudu is the Australian Defence Force commitment to the training of Ukraine’s armed force recruits.

The Australian soldiers will join partner nations in the UK led training program, aimed at building “additional capacity for Ukraine”.

A Defence spokesman told The Advertiser there were about 90 ADF personnel drawn from across South Australia’s 9th Brigade who will be deployed to the UK.

“This is the fifth contingent to deploy and ADF personnel will spend approximately four months providing expert instruction on basic infantry tactics for urban and wooded environments, and a junior leader training program,” the spokesman said.

“No Australians will enter Ukraine.”

In December, Federal Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the commitment would lead into 2024, as Australian forces helped to train 1200 Ukrainian recruits in 2023.

Recruits from Ukraine receive camouflage and concealment lessons from the British Army as part of field phase training delivered during Operation KUDU in the United Kingdom. Picture: Supplied by ADF

Soldiers from the British Army demonstrate fire and movement lessons for Ukrainian recruits during Operation KUDU in the United Kingdom. Picture: Supplied by ADF

“Our ADF personnel are providing critical skills to Ukrainian recruits as part of Operation Kudu to support Ukraine to defend against Russia’s ongoing invasion,” Mr Marles said after the announcement.

“Our growing commitment to the multinational training mission affirms our pledge to provide meaningful and relevant support to the government and people of Ukraine.”

At the event, members of 7RAR will receive a traditional Ukrainian Orthodox blessing, with the Royal Australian Regiment chaplain also in attendance, before they head overseas.

As of December, Australia has committed about $910 million in assistance to Ukraine, including $730 million in military support.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong last month said Australia remains committed to shaping a world where countries don’t dominate each other.

“Almost two years since Russia launched its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Australia remains steadfast in our commitment to shaping a world in which no country dominates, and no country is dominated,” she said.

“Training members of Ukraine’s Armed forces is an important way that Australia is empowering Ukraine to end the war on its own terms.

“Australia is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave Ukrainians who are defending their people, their territory, and their sovereignty.”