Australia supplies 30 more Bushmasters to Ukraine and will help train troops in UK

Australian troops will be deployed to the UK to train Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russia’s illegal invasion.

Australian troops will be deployed to the UK to train Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russia’s illegal invasion, as the federal government confirms an extra 30 Bushmasters will sent to support the war effort.

A contingent of up to 70 Australian Defence Force personnel will be sent in January next year to take part in the UK’s Operation Interflex, however no troops will enter Ukraine.

The large training program established by the UK in July aims to train up to 10,000 Ukrainians every 120 days.

The ADF will join contingents sent by Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands in recent months to also help Ukrainians prepare to fight Russian invaders.

The government has now provided 90 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles to Ukraine, with the total Australian support reaching $655 million, including $475m in military assistance.

An Australian-built Bushmaster armoured vehicle in Lozove, Ukraine. Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia had been “unequivocal” in its bipartisan support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We will continue to stand up for freedom and democracy,” he said.

“This is a not just about Ukraine’s sovereignty; the brave people of Ukraine are

defending international law, rules and norms.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said military assistance had been the “centrepiece” of Australia’s support to Ukraine to assist in what was “clearly a protracted conflict”.

“Our soldiers will be part of a large training program in the United Kingdom to help

prepare their Ukrainian mates for their struggle against Russia’s unwarranted and

unlawful aggression,” he said.

“Since their arrival, the Bushmasters have been used extensively by the Ukrainian

Armed Forces with more requested by the Ukrainian President, Minister for Defence,

and the Ambassador.”

Defence Minister Richard Marles says Australian troops will help the UK train Ukrainian soldiers to fight Russia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Due to operational security, the exact dates when the Bushmasters would depart or be delivered into Ukraine cannot be provided, but the Australian vehicles have been widely praised as “saving lives”.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said the Bushmasters were “phenomenal” assistance to the soldiers repelling Russia’s invasion.

“They’re saving lives, they help transport people from the front lines, it’s important to continue supporting Ukraine,” he said.

His praise was echoed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the vehicles had “performed masterfully”.

“The more weapons and ammunition we receive … the more Russia would feel the responsibility for violating international law,” he said in a Lowy Institute address earlier this month.

Originally published as Australia supplies 30 more Bushmasters to Ukraine and will help train troops in UK