ANKARA
Australia announced on Wednesday it will deploy troops to the UK to train Ukrainian forces there and also provide more Bushmaster protected vehicles to help push back Russian forces.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel will join the British-led multinational training effort in the UK, but their soldiers will not enter Ukraine, ABC News reported.
“Australia has been unequivocal in its bipartisan support for Ukraine and its condemnation of President Putin,” the broadcaster quoted Albanese as saying.
“We will continue to stand up for freedom and democracy,” he said.
Albanese gave no date for the deployment, citing “operational security.”
“Our soldiers will be part of a large training program in the United Kingdom to help prepare their Ukrainian mates for their struggle against Russia’s unwarranted and unlawful aggression,” said Defense Minister Richard Marles.
Australia is also planning to send 30 more Bushmasters to join 60 protected mobility vehicles already sent to Kyiv, according to the broadcaster.
“Since their arrival, the Bushmasters have been used extensively by the Ukrainian Armed Forces with more requested by the Ukrainian president, minister for defence, and the ambassador,” said Marles.
