France-trained force aims to boost Ukraine's defense forces

ABC News reported the information.

The "Ann of Kyiv" brigade will soon join Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression, equipped with tanks, artillery guns, and other heavy weaponry supplied by France.

The brigade underwent over two months of intensive military training in eastern and southern France. Comprising 4,500 personnel, it includes infantry battalions, engineers, artillery teams, and other specialists.

Over 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers completed the final stages of their training in France and are preparing to return to Ukraine.

Many of them were recently mobilized and had only basic training before they arrived in France in September. In addition, Ukrainian forces are training others within Ukraine to integrate into the brigade, according to French officials.

France deployed around 1,500 soldiers from the "Champagne" mission to train Ukrainian forces.

According to French military sources, the arsenal for Ukraine’s "Ann of Kyiv" brigade includes 18 AMX 10 light tanks, 18 Caesar self-propelled artillery systems mounted on trucks, 128 armored personnel carriers, as well as anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems, among other equipment and weaponry.

Journalists were not allowed to interview Ukrainian soldiers during the training sessions. French officers involved in the program stated that the Ukrainian troops are now better prepared for the intense combat they are likely to face in the coming months.

• Defense Express development director Valerii Riabykh has commented on the supply of a new batch of long-range Scalp missiles to Ukraine.