British Paratroopers Jump into Ukraine to Show Force Against Putin
The first time in history, around 200 British Paratroopers jumped into Ukraine for a joint exercise as a show of force against Vladimir Putin. These UK paratroopers from 16 Air Assault Brigade landed into the Ternivsky training area, where they joined thousands of other Ukrainian troops, ahead of their joint exercise endeavor.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said, the exercise between British paratroopers and Ukrainian troops builds a strong relationship between the two nations’ armed forces and provides vital experience to both countries of deploying rapidly from air to land to counter threats.
Under this joint endeavor, the British paratroopers in Ukraine signify the ability of the UK to support its partners around the world.
As tensions continue between Russia and Ukraine, the conflict killed more than 14,000 people under the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Captain Harjot Singh Gill, 16 Air Assault Brigade stated: “We all bring something to this exercise. In this air drill, Ukrainians bring their courage and we bring our constantly changing tactics and processes. Our shared values and the airborne nature of our units bring us closer together.”
According to MoD, the operation, which was launched after the Russian annexation of Crimea, is a demonstration of the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty’.
This exercise between British paratroopers and Ukrainian troops is the first exercise in Ukraine since the country achieved NATO-enhanced opportunity partner status in June.
Directly from Royal Air Force Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, the UK paratroopers landed in Ukraine from 600ft via Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
Since the operation Orbital starts, both nations strengthen their defence relationship. Within 5 years, around 18,000 members of the Ukrainians Armed Forces have been trained by the UK.
