UK provides equipment kits to 34,000 Ukrainian servicemen

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Since June 2022, the United Kingdom has provided more than 2.2 million pieces of equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"More than 34,000 soldiers received a black bag kit, containing 65-70 items, including boots, a helmet and body armour," the General Staff said.

After arriving in the UK for training under the Op Interflex programme, Ukrainian soldiers receive the items they need for their service, worth about $3,000, at a logistics centre.

According to the General Staff, Ukrainian soldiers are provided with uniforms, shoes, protective equipment, a first aid kit, a multi-tool, a backpack and a bag, as well as "many useful "little things" that will be needed both during training and on the front line when they return to Ukraine."

Each soldier receives

• personal protective equipment, including a helmet, body armour, eye and pelvic protection, headphones
• field uniform and boots;
• clothing for cold and wet weather;
• additional equipment required for field conditions, such as a poncho, sleeping bag and entrenching tools.

"Upon completion of training and before returning to the UK, the Ukrainians receive additional high-value items including a full stocked first aid kit, and Norwegian winter white coveralls," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

What is known about the Op Interflex programme

The British Ministry of Defence notes that the Op Interflex training programme "teaches Ukrainians to survive and be lethal in the fight against the illegal invasion of their homeland".

As of July 2023, 18,000 Ukrainian infantrymen have been trained in the UK under the programme. 

• On January 15, the UK said it would send 20,000 troops to continental Europe as part of NATO exercises in the first half of the year.
• On January 24, Estonia joined the UK's Op Interflex programme.