Australian soldier who trained Ukrainians shares emotional account of Operation Kudu

A soldier from a Territory-based battalion has shared an emotional account of helping train Ukrainians to defend their homeland, and now they’re calling for change. Find out more.

The Australian Defence Force of Operation Kudu, in South East England. This is the British-led mission to train members of the AFU (Force Ukraine) that Australia has been part of since January 2023. Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, CSC, Picture: Defence

The toll of a northern hemisphere military operation is weighing heavily on some Territory troops, who are now calling for greater recognition in the part they played assisting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.

An anonymous soldier from the The Royal Australian Regiment 5th Battalion – stationed in Darwin – has described the impact of helping train Ukrainians during Operation Kudu in the UK.

The soldier gave their account through a submission as part of a parliamentary inquiry probing the defence honours and awards system.

An elderly widow wearing war medals. Picture: File

The soldier described how reaching the operation’s conclusion was an “emotional time”, with the Ukrainians sending the Australians updates from the front lines.

“This update we knew would come but we all dreaded, it was a soldier that we trained had been killed,” the soldiers submission said.

“Although he wasn’t a soldier I trained, it still had an impact on me and brought it home to all of us that the soldiers we train now will mostly likely die in their efforts to defend their homeland.”

During their three month deployment in late 2023 the soldier said they trained two groups of roughly 180 Ukrainian recruits.

An Australian Army soldier from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, warms his hands during loading of bags and stores onto transport after arriving into the United Kingdom during Operation KUDU. Deploying to the United Kingdom in January 2023, a contingent of up to 70 ADF personnel will join partner nations in the UK-led and based training program for Ukrainian recruits. Picture: File

The Aussies and the Ukrainians got to know each other “in spite of the language barrier,” the soldier said.

“We became mates and learned a lot from each other, about life in Ukraine before the invasion, and how life is now with the ongoing war.

“We heard stories of how the war has affected the recruits and their families, and many have been personally impacted before joining or conscription into the army.”

The soldier’s submission said they “want to be recognised for the effort we put into this invaluable operation”.

“The task of training soldiers of the Ukrainian Defence Force struck us being of the utmost importance and probably the most significant of our military career,” the soldiers submission said.

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

Despite not being “in the line of danger,” the soldier said they were “immensely proud of their contribution” and wanted to see those involved in the operation “fully rewarded for their dedication”.

During the course of the war with Russia, Australia has sent Ukraine $1.5 billion in aid.

The inquiry into the defence honours and awards system was established on July 3, 2024.

It was established following a successful motion by One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts.

Mr Roberts said there’s been “an abysmal lack of integrity” in the defence awards system process.

Originally published as Australian soldier who trained Ukrainians shares emotional account of Operation Kudu