Anthony Albanese considers plan to have Australian troops train Ukrainian recruits

Anthony Albanese has confirmed he is reviewing a request to have Aussie soldiers train Ukrainian recruits following talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Anthony Albanese spoke overnight to his Ukrainian counterpart to offer condolences for Russia’s continued “murder” of Ukraine civilians.

The prime minister condemned Russia’s latest round of missile strikes targeting civilians, including in the capital Kyiv, which he said was about 1km from where he stood two months ago.

He reassured President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Australia stood by Ukraine and confirmed he was reviewing a request to have ADF personnel help train Ukrainian military recruits, most likely in the UK where other multinational trainers were being based.

A Ukrainian soldier aims before a 2S1 Gvozdika tank fires a shell on the front line in Donetsk region. Picture: AFP

“We certainly are,” Mr Albanese said when asked whether that training request was being considered.

“I had the honour of speaking to President Zelenskyy again last night, I conveyed to him the condolence of the Australian people for the innocent victims murdered by Russian aggression, targeted civilian locations including in Kyiv.

“What I did have was a discussion about Ukraine’s needs, I will take that through our processes ... this is a fight not just about Ukraine’s sovereignty but the international rule of law ... and that’s why the world is united in support of Ukraine.”

The Australian Defence Force is ready to deploy troops to help train Ukrainian military recruits heading into the frontline in their war against Russia.

Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed on Tuesday he is in high-level talks with the Ukrainian government over further support packages for the embattled country, noting the latest indiscriminate missile assault on civilians by Russia.

Mr Marles described the attacks as “appalling” and said Ukraine had to be supported in any way in what was clearly set to be a protracted conflict.

Firefighters work to put out fire at the scene of Russian missile strikes, as Russia’s attack continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 10, 2022. Picture: REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

“What’s really clear is that these strikes have been done with complete indifference to civilian populations, they’ve been directed at population centres in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine,” Mr Marles said.

“I was with the Ukrainian Ambassador (Vasyl Myroshnychenko) yesterday when the news broke about these strikes, and the heartbreak was palpable.”

He said having ADF trainers assist Ukraine in combat warfare was one option.

A Ukrainian soldier stands as a 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer fires a shell on the front line in Donetsk region on October 10, 2022. Picture: AFP

The British military has already trained nearly 10,000 Ukrainian recruits under Operation Interflex at various training camps in the UK, specifically in urban warfare, marksmanship and battlefield first aid. They are set to “significantly expand” the program with assistance from the armed forces of New Zealand, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands.

“Well, that’s just one option that’s on the table,” Mr Marles said when asked if Australia would follow the British lead.

“The United Kingdom is providing training assistance for Ukraine so we’re looking at that option as well as others. We’ve not made any commitments yet as to what exactly the package of support would look like but we are working with the Ukrainian Government about ways in which we can help.”

British General Sir Patrick Sanders visits Ukrainian soldiers being trained in fieldcraft, weapon handling, urban operations and marksmanship as part of the UK military support to Ukraine

British troops training Ukrainian recruits in urban warfare in July 2022.

It is understood the US also have considerable personnel assisting Ukrainian counterparts from NATO bases in Poland and elsewhere. Canadian Armed Forces also has Operation Unifier is undertaking targeted training of Ukraine recruits in the UK.

Last month the British Ministry of Defence requested other allies like Australia consider the same assistance commitment.

Philippine Army soldiers and the Australian Army soldiers from the 3rd Brigade conduct urban training together at Capinpin, Philippines, as part of Operation Augury.

Australia has had considerable experience in providing warfare training – notably in Afghanistan and Iraq but also PNG and the Philippines.

Mr Marles suggested Australia could also gift Ukraine more Bushmaster vehicles which he said had an obvious impact in protecting Ukrainian personnel from Russian strikes. Australia had already committed to sending 60 of the armoured vehicles.

An Australian-built Bushmaster armoured vehicle is driven past destroyed buildings on October 08, 2022 in Lozove, Ukraine. Picture: Getty Images

“I want to emphasise there is an enormous sense of gratitude from Ukraine to the whole of the Australian people for the support that has been provided up until now,” he said.

“We’re just about the largest non-NATO contributor. There is this sense that they’re getting support from the other side of the world and they’re really grateful for it.”

He said Ukraine, Ukrainian conflict had to be resolved on Ukraine’s terms as Russia’s continued aggression could not be tolerated.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese considers plan to have Australian troops train Ukrainian recruits