Spain is training Ukrainian recruits as part of a joint EU operation. The EU has committed to train 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
CÁDIZ / BRUSSELS The sound of serial fire breaks the peace of the Andalucian countryside. A high-stakes shooting exercise is underway.
During the month-long basic training, the recruits learn the basic skills needed at the front, such as shooting, moving in terrain and first aid for injuries. The training is tailored to the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
According to the Spanish trainer interviewed by , the varying age, physical condition and background of the newbies must be taken into account in the exercises. Many of the recruits have no previous military experience at all.
– Progress has been made gradually. Their motivation and ability to learn is amazingly good, the anonymous trainer describes.
The Cádiz unit trains about a hundred new recruits per month. Training is also organized in other units of the Spanish Defense Forces.
The EU trains 30,000 soldiers
The rookie training offered by Spain is part of the EU’s joint training operation. EU countries have committed to train 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of the year.
– We help them to defend themselves against the Russian attack and to return the territories that belong to them, the lieutenant colonel responsible for training in Cádiz Javier Vega tells about the goals of the education.
EU External Relations Director by Josep Borrell has described the educational mission as a unique project in the history of the Union.
According to Borrell (you will switch to another service) the scope of the operation and the quick implementation show the strong commitment of the EU countries to support Ukraine.
EU countries support the educational project in different ways. Finland supports the operation by participating in the training organized in Poland and other EU countries with a maximum of 50 soldiers.
Expert: The EU has internalized the importance of arms aid
The European Union has responded to Russia’s attack with unprecedented sanctions and direct subsidies of tens of billions of euros. According to estimates, 12 billion euros have been spent on arms aid alone.
– Member states and EU institutions have internalized the idea that continuous support is essential both for the survival of Ukraine and for protecting the rest of Europe from Russian aggression, professor of security policy at VUB University in Brussels Alexander Mattelaer reviews .
The decisions of several EU countries to increase their national defense budgets are also a sign of a change in the European way of thinking.
The EU is also rushing to increase the production of defense equipment and the joint procurement of artillery ammunition as a reaction to the Russian attack.
According to Professor Mattelaer, rapidly increasing production is a challenge. Bottlenecks can be found both in terms of supply chains and the raw materials needed for ammunition and weapon production.
However, the biggest challenge is related to finding a competent workforce.
– It is not possible to change the personnel structure in a significant way in a very short time, Mattelaer states.
You can discuss the topic until Thursday at 23:00.