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Training the next generation of Ukrainian defenders
FROM THIS GALLERY
Training the next generation of Ukrainian defenders
Подготовка нового поколения защитников Украины
Training the next generation of Ukrainian defenders
Training the next generation of Ukrainian defenders
Training the next generation of Ukrainian defenders
Ukraine continues its brave fight for freedom and independence, aided by crucial military support from NATO Allies. In Lithuania, the army is busy training the next generation of Ukrainian Non-Commissioned Officers – mid-level enlisted leaders responsible for leading troops into combat – who will go on to form the backbone of the forces fighting to secure their homeland. In Poland, several NATO Allies are teaching Ukrainian tankers how to use the powerful Leopard 2 main battle tank, which many NATO Allies have donated to the Ukrainian Army, giving them mobility and firepower. And in the United Kingdom, British Army bomb disposal experts are training Ukrainian technicians how to detect and neutralise land mines left behind by Russian forces, as well as unexploded ordnance buried in the soil. Since the beginning of Russia’s brutal and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine three years ago, in February 2022, NATO Allies and partners have stood firm in their support of Ukraine’s armed forces, as the country continues its heroic efforts to uphold its right to self-defence enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
Assets details
- Publication date 03 November 2025
- Location Rukla (Lithuania); Świętoszów (Poland), Undisclosed Location (UK), Lithuania, Poland, United Kingdom
- Version International
- Themes Video
- Reference NATO961831
- Music “Biosphere” by Azbel; “Adventure for the Ages” by Guez; “Transitions” by Cotton, Niblet; “Cross-examination” by Juilet; “All That Glitters” by Price
Transcript
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINER, BRITISH ARMY
“They're taking on the lessons, fully into it, trying to learn everything they can to take away, to go back, to then fight back on the front lines.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Three years ago, Russia launched its devastating full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, NATO Allies have been steadfast in supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the weapons and training they need to defend their homeland. Together, they’re helping forge the next generation of Ukrainian soldiers called upon to defend their country.”
TEXT ON SCREEN
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF UKRAINIAN DEFENDERS
—VOICEOVER—
“Armies need leaders, and not just at the top. While generals make plans and issue orders, leadership in the trenches comes from Non-Commissioned Officers. They are the link between enlisted soldiers and officers, charged with carrying out orders and leading troops into the heat of battle. At the same time, they’re responsible for taking care of their soldiers, giving them guidance and mentorship while enforcing discipline in the ranks.
They are evidence of a remarkable transformation in the Ukrainian Army. In years past, Ukrainian enlisted soldiers had to wait for explicit orders from officers before they could act, making for a slower, less efficient force. After Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, however, the Ukrainian Army decided to reinvent itself. It intensified its work with NATO Allies, who helped turn Ukraine’s Non-Commissioned Officers from mid-level enlisted troopers into battlefield leaders. This has made for a more flexible force, and in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression, it has made all the difference.
Here in the deep Baltic forests, the Lithuanian Army is training new Ukrainian Non-Commissioned Officers to be effective sergeants, capable of both caring for their soldiers and leading them into battle.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO TRAINEE, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“The sergeant participates directly in the life of the unit. He trains them, lives with them, he knows everything about his unit and helps it exist, so to speak. Many lives depend on him.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO INSTRUCTOR, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“You become a man when you are responsible for someone else. You perceive reality in a completely different way. It’s like you kind of wake up, so to speak.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Infantry sergeants are frontline soldiers, but they’re also tasked with planning operations and deciding which tactics should be used.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO INSTRUCTOR, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“What was good in this particular course from the NATO instructors was the approach to planning the operation and controlling the planning of the operation, bringing us these standard operating procedures in terms of tactical aspects, mechanised tactics, tactics using armoured vehicles, armoured infantry vehicles like the M113.”
—VOICEOVER—
“NCOs who are confident and empowered with decision-making will make the Ukrainian Army more flexible in battle.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO INSTRUCTOR, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“War, currently, is characterised by a high intensity of action and a rapid change of circumstances. That is, decisions need to be made by people who are in the thick of things, and who see and participate in precisely these areas where circumstances are changing rapidly. Not in the headquarters, but here.”
—VOICEOVER—
“After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, NATO Allies pledged to support the Ukrainian Army with advanced weaponry. Among the assets promised was one of the Alliance’s strongest tanks: the Leopard 2. Manufactured in Germany and currently in service with 15 NATO Allies, the Leopard is fast and strong, with thick armour to protect its crew during intense combat.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
MGEN Piotr Fajkowski, Polish Army
“The tanks bring the new quality. We saw a lot of movies delivered to us from the Ukrainian side. After being hit twice, three, four times, this tank survived. For Ukrainians, this is the power to win the war.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Allies have donated Leopard 2 tanks of various models to Ukraine since 2023. They’ve also been training the crews needed to operate them. At the Combined Arms Training Centre in Poland, a mission funded by the European Union and staffed by NATO Allies, Ukrainian soldiers are fully trained to fight and operate the Leopard 2.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
MGEN Piotr Fajkowski, Polish Army
“The training programme is focused on training the gunner, the driver, the commander of the tank. Then, to make from them the tank crew as the whole.
—VOICEOVER—
“The Combined Arms Training Centre doesn’t just train the crews. They also train the maintainers who will be responsible for keeping the tanks up and running on the frontline.”
—SOUNDBITE IN POLISH —
Maintenance Trainer, Polish Army
“As far as commitment, they are 100 percent. They are motivated and absorb knowledge very well. The situation forces them to study quickly and intensively.”
—VOICEOVER—
“After three years of war, Ukraine is littered with landmines and unexploded ordnance. These deadly explosives are a threat to Ukrainian troops and civilians alike. Cleansing the landscape will take years of painstaking work, in war or peace. That’s why the British Army is helping train new Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians at an undisclosed location in the United Kingdom.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINEE, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“We constantly encounter mines because we are on the territory that we had liberated after the departure of Russian soldiers. They have left lots of mines behind. It is a huge problem. At the same time, Russians continue to lay mines all over. Because of that, civilians suffer every day.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Detecting mines means getting low and going slow. Trainees learn how to search the dirt to find mines before they explode. The stress is constant, as any mistake could mean injury or death. But these skills are vital for Ukrainian troops as they continue to defend their homeland.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINER, BRITISH ARMY
“A lot of them do come straight from the front line. I do respect that they're coming here, they're taking on the lessons, fully into it, trying to learn everything they can to take away, to go back, to then fight back on the frontlines.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Ultimately, Ukraine’s greatest weapon is the courage and willpower of the men and women who have fought on the frontlines since 2022. NATO Allies stood behind them then, and stand behind them now.”
—SOUNDBITE IN RUSSIAN —
NCO TRAINEE, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“Personally, my motivation to continue fighting for my country, for Ukraine, it’s the understanding that I will never have a home anywhere else but in Ukraine, because this is my home, my country.”
Usage rights
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This video contains Thomson Reuters copyrighted library material licensed by NATO, which cannot be used as part of a new production without consent of the copyright holder. Please contact Thomson Reuters to clear this material.
Подготовка нового поколения защитников Украины
Украина продолжает мужественно сражаться за свою свободу и независимость. Союзники по НАТО оказывают ей важнейшую поддержку. В Литве армия активно обучает новое поколение украинских сержантов: это командиры среднего звена, которые отвечают за руководство
Assets details
- Publication date 03 November 2025
- Location Rukla (Lithuania); Świętoszów (Poland), Undisclosed Location (UK), Lithuania, Poland, United Kingdom
- Version Master-with-subs
- Themes Video
- Reference NATO962483
- Music “Biosphere” by Azbel; “Adventure for the Ages” by Guez; “Transitions” by Cotton, Niblet; “Cross-examination” by Juilet; “All That Glitters” by Price
Transcript
TRANSCRIPT (AUDIO AND TEXT ON SCREEN)
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
ИНСТРУКТОР ПО РАЗМИНИРОВАНИЮ, БРИТАНСКАЯ АРМИЯ
«Они учатся, полностью отдаются занятиям, стараются узнать все, что можно, чтобы взять эти знания с собой, вернуться и снова уйти на фронт».
-VOICEOVER-
«Три года назад Россия начала полномасштабное вторжение в Украину. С тех пор союзники продолжают поддерживать украинские вооруженные силы, предоставляют оружие и организуют обучение. Вместе они готовят следующее поколение украинских солдат, которые будут защищать свою родину".
TEXT ON SCREEN
ПОДГОТОВКА НОВОГО ПОКОЛЕНИЯ ЗАЩИТНИКОВ УКРАИНЫ
-VOICEOVER-
«Армии нужны лидеры, и не только высший командный состав. Пока генералы разрабатывают планы и отдают приказы, в траншеях лидерство принадлежит сержантам. Они — связующее звено между солдатами-срочниками и офицерами. Они отвечают за выполнение приказов и ведут войска в бой. Они несут ответственность за своих солдат, дают им наставления, следят за дисциплиной.
Они — доказательство удивительной трансформации украинской армии. Раньше украинские солдаты-срочники всегда ждали четких приказов от офицеров. Это делало армию тяжеловесной и малоэффективной. Однако после незаконной аннексии Крыма Россией украинская армия переосмыслила свое устройство. При активной поддержке союзников по НАТО сержанты Украинской армии из обычных военнослужащих превратились в настоящих командиров на поле боя. Это повысило гибкость армии и сыграло решающую роль в борьбе с российской агрессией.
Здесь, в балтийских лесах, литовцы учат новых украинских защитников как стать настоящими сержантами, которые заботятся о своих солдатах и ведут их в бой».
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
СТАЖЕР-СЕРЖАНТ, Вооруженные силы Украины
«Сержант принимает непосредственное участие в жизни своего подразделения. Он их тренирует, живет с ними, знает все о своем подразделении и, можно сказать, помогает ему существовать. От него зависит много жизней».
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
ИНСТРУКТОР-СЕРЖАНТ, Вооруженные силы Украины
«Ты становишься мужчиной, когда несешь ответственность за кого-то другого. Ты воспринимаешь реальность совершенно по-другому. Ты будто просыпаешься».
-VOICEOVER-
«Сержанты пехоты — это бойцы на передовой. Но они также планируют операции и решают, какую тактику следует выбрать».
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
ИНСТРУКТОР-СЕРЖАНТ, Вооруженные силы Украины
«В этом конкретном курсе от инструкторов НАТО интересен подход к планированию операции и контролю за планированием. Нам объяснили постоянно действующие инструкции в плане тактических аспектов,
тактику использования бронетехники, БМП, как M113».
-VOICEOVER-
«Уверенные в себе сержанты, способные принимать решения, сделают украинскую армию более гибкой в бою».
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
ИНСТРУКТОР-СЕРЖАНТ, Вооруженные силы Украины
«Современная война характеризуется высокой интенсивностью действий и быстрой сменой обстоятельств. То есть решения должны приниматься людьми, которые находятся в гуще событий, видят и действуют именно там, где обстоятельства стремительно меняются. Не где-то в штабе, а прямо здесь».
-VOICEOVER-
«После того, как Россия вторглась в Украину в феврале 2022 года, союзники обязались поддержать украинскую армию современным оружием. Среди обещанных средств был «Леопард-2» — один из лучших танков НАТО. Он производится в Германии и находится на вооружении 15 стран. «Леопард» отличается высокой скоростью и боевой мощью, а его толстая броня защищает экипаж во время интенсивных боевых действий».
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
Генерал-майор Петр Файковский, польская армия
«Танки качественно меняют ситуацию. Мы видели много видеозаписей, сделанных украинцами. Даже после двух, трех, четырех попаданий этот танк выжил. Для украинцев — именно это сила, способная выиграть войну».
-VOICEOVER-
«С 2023 года союзники передают Украине танки «Леопард-2» различных модификаций. Они также готовят экипажи для них. Центр общевойсковой подготовки в Польше — это миссия, финансируемая Евросоюзом и укомплектованная членами НАТО. Украинские солдаты проходят здесь полную подготовку по эксплуатации «Леопард-2».
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
Генерал-майор Петр Файковский, польская армия
«Это программа обучения для наводчиков, водителей и командиров танка. Они должны научиться работать как единый танковый экипаж».
-VOICEOVER-
«В Центре общевойсковой подготовки готовят не только экипажи. Здесь также обучают механиков, которые будут отвечать за поддержание танков в рабочем состоянии на передовой».
—SOUNDBITE IN POLISH —
Инструктор по техническому обслуживанию, польская армия
«Они выкладываются на 100%. Они мотивированы и хорошо усваивают информацию. Ситуация заставляет их учиться быстро и интенсивно».
-VOICEOVER-
«После трех лет боевых действий земля Украины усеяна минами и неразорвавшимися боеприпасами. Они представляют угрозу как для украинских военных, так и для гражданского населения. На очистку территории уйдут годы кропотливой работы. Именно поэтому британская армия помогает обучать новых специалистов по обезвреживанию взрывоопасных предметов в секретном месте в Соединенном Королевстве».
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
СТАЖЕР ПРОГРАММЫ ПО РАЗМИНИРОВАНИЮ, УКРАИНСКАЯ АРМИЯ
«Мы постоянно сталкиваемся с минами, потому что находимся на территории, которую освободили. Российские солдаты оставили после себя много мин. Это огромная проблема. В то же время русские продолжают дистанционно устанавливать мины повсюду. Из-за этого страдают мирные жители».
-VOICEOVER-
«Чтобы обнаружить мину, приходится наклоняться к земле и идти очень медленно. Стажеры учатся обнаруживать в земле мины, прежде чем они взорвутся. Это требует постоянного напряжения, ведь ошибка может привести к травме или смерти. Но эти навыки жизненно важны для украинских военных, которые продолжают защищать родину».
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
ИНСТРУКТОР ПО РАЗМИНИРОВАНИЮ, БРИТАНСКАЯ АРМИЯ
«Многие из них приходят прямо с передовой. Я очень ценю то, что они приезжают сюда, учатся, полностью отдаются занятиям, стараются узнать все, что можно, чтобы взять эти знания с собой, вернуться и снова пойти на фронт».
-VOICEOVER-
«В конечном счете, главное оружие Украины — это мужество и сила воли мужчин и женщин, которые сражаются на фронте с 2022 года. Союзники по НАТО поддержали их тогда и продолжают поддерживать сейчас».
—SOUNDBITE IN RUSSIAN —
СТАЖЕР-СЕРЖАНТ, Вооруженные силы Украины
«Лично у меня мотивация продолжать сражаться за свою страну, за Украину — это понимание того, что нигде у меня не будет дома, кроме как в Украине, потому что это мой дом, моя страна. »
КОНЕЦ
Usage rights
CLOSE
This video contains Thomson Reuters copyrighted library material licensed by NATO, which cannot be used as part of a new production without consent of the copyright holder. Please contact Thomson Reuters to clear this material.
Training the next generation of Ukrainian defenders
Ukraine continues its brave fight for freedom and independence, aided by crucial military support from NATO Allies. In Lithuania, the army is busy training the next generation of Ukrainian Non-Commissioned Officers – mid-level enlisted leaders responsible for leading troops into combat – who will go on to form the backbone of the forces fighting to secure their homeland. In Poland, several NATO Allies are teaching Ukrainian tankers how to use the powerful Leopard 2 main battle tank, which many NATO Allies have donated to the Ukrainian Army, giving them mobility and firepower. And in the United Kingdom, British Army bomb disposal experts are training Ukrainian technicians how to detect and neutralise land mines left behind by Russian forces, as well as unexploded ordnance buried in the soil. Since the beginning of Russia’s brutal and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine three years ago, in February 2022, NATO Allies and partners have stood firm in their support of Ukraine’s armed forces, as the country continues its heroic efforts to uphold its right to self-defence enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
Assets details
- Publication date 03 November 2025
- Location Rukla (Lithuania); Świętoszów (Poland), Undisclosed Location (UK), Lithuania, Poland, United Kingdom
- Version Master
- Themes Video
- Reference NATO961833
- Music “Biosphere” by Azbel; “Adventure for the Ages” by Guez; “Transitions” by Cotton, Niblet; “Cross-examination” by Juilet; “All That Glitters” by Price
Transcript
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINER, BRITISH ARMY
“They're taking on the lessons, fully into it, trying to learn everything they can to take away, to go back, to then fight back on the front lines.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Three years ago, Russia launched its devastating full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, NATO Allies have been steadfast in supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the weapons and training they need to defend their homeland. Together, they’re helping forge the next generation of Ukrainian soldiers called upon to defend their country.”
TEXT ON SCREEN
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF UKRAINIAN DEFENDERS
—VOICEOVER—
“Armies need leaders, and not just at the top. While generals make plans and issue orders, leadership in the trenches comes from Non-Commissioned Officers. They are the link between enlisted soldiers and officers, charged with carrying out orders and leading troops into the heat of battle. At the same time, they’re responsible for taking care of their soldiers, giving them guidance and mentorship while enforcing discipline in the ranks.
They are evidence of a remarkable transformation in the Ukrainian Army. In years past, Ukrainian enlisted soldiers had to wait for explicit orders from officers before they could act, making for a slower, less efficient force. After Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, however, the Ukrainian Army decided to reinvent itself. It intensified its work with NATO Allies, who helped turn Ukraine’s Non-Commissioned Officers from mid-level enlisted troopers into battlefield leaders. This has made for a more flexible force, and in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression, it has made all the difference.
Here in the deep Baltic forests, the Lithuanian Army is training new Ukrainian Non-Commissioned Officers to be effective sergeants, capable of both caring for their soldiers and leading them into battle.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO TRAINEE, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“The sergeant participates directly in the life of the unit. He trains them, lives with them, he knows everything about his unit and helps it exist, so to speak. Many lives depend on him.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO INSTRUCTOR, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“You become a man when you are responsible for someone else. You perceive reality in a completely different way. It’s like you kind of wake up, so to speak.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Infantry sergeants are frontline soldiers, but they’re also tasked with planning operations and deciding which tactics should be used.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO INSTRUCTOR, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“What was good in this particular course from the NATO instructors was the approach to planning the operation and controlling the planning of the operation, bringing us these standard operating procedures in terms of tactical aspects, mechanised tactics, tactics using armoured vehicles, armoured infantry vehicles like the M113.”
—VOICEOVER—
“NCOs who are confident and empowered with decision-making will make the Ukrainian Army more flexible in battle.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO INSTRUCTOR, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“War, currently, is characterised by a high intensity of action and a rapid change of circumstances. That is, decisions need to be made by people who are in the thick of things, and who see and participate in precisely these areas where circumstances are changing rapidly. Not in the headquarters, but here.”
—VOICEOVER—
“After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, NATO Allies pledged to support the Ukrainian Army with advanced weaponry. Among the assets promised was one of the Alliance’s strongest tanks: the Leopard 2. Manufactured in Germany and currently in service with 15 NATO Allies, the Leopard is fast and strong, with thick armour to protect its crew during intense combat.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
MGEN Piotr Fajkowski, Polish Army
“The tanks bring the new quality. We saw a lot of movies delivered to us from the Ukrainian side. After being hit twice, three, four times, this tank survived. For Ukrainians, this is the power to win the war.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Allies have donated Leopard 2 tanks of various models to Ukraine since 2023. They’ve also been training the crews needed to operate them. At the Combined Arms Training Centre in Poland, a mission funded by the European Union and staffed by NATO Allies, Ukrainian soldiers are fully trained to fight and operate the Leopard 2.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
MGEN Piotr Fajkowski, Polish Army
“The training programme is focused on training the gunner, the driver, the commander of the tank. Then, to make from them the tank crew as the whole.
—VOICEOVER—
“The Combined Arms Training Centre doesn’t just train the crews. They also train the maintainers who will be responsible for keeping the tanks up and running on the frontline.”
—SOUNDBITE IN POLISH —
Maintenance Trainer, Polish Army
“As far as commitment, they are 100 percent. They are motivated and absorb knowledge very well. The situation forces them to study quickly and intensively.”
—VOICEOVER—
“After three years of war, Ukraine is littered with landmines and unexploded ordnance. These deadly explosives are a threat to Ukrainian troops and civilians alike. Cleansing the landscape will take years of painstaking work, in war or peace. That’s why the British Army is helping train new Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians at an undisclosed location in the United Kingdom.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINEE, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“We constantly encounter mines because we are on the territory that we had liberated after the departure of Russian soldiers. They have left lots of mines behind. It is a huge problem. At the same time, Russians continue to lay mines all over. Because of that, civilians suffer every day.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Detecting mines means getting low and going slow. Trainees learn how to search the dirt to find mines before they explode. The stress is constant, as any mistake could mean injury or death. But these skills are vital for Ukrainian troops as they continue to defend their homeland.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINER, BRITISH ARMY
“A lot of them do come straight from the front line. I do respect that they're coming here, they're taking on the lessons, fully into it, trying to learn everything they can to take away, to go back, to then fight back on the frontlines.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Ultimately, Ukraine’s greatest weapon is the courage and willpower of the men and women who have fought on the frontlines since 2022. NATO Allies stood behind them then, and stand behind them now.”
—SOUNDBITE IN RUSSIAN —
NCO TRAINEE, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“Personally, my motivation to continue fighting for my country, for Ukraine, it’s the understanding that I will never have a home anywhere else but in Ukraine, because this is my home, my country.”
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Training the next generation of Ukrainian defenders
Ukraine continues its brave fight for freedom and independence, aided by crucial military support from NATO Allies. In Lithuania, the army is busy training the next generation of Ukrainian Non-Commissioned Officers – mid-level enlisted leaders responsible for leading troops into combat – who will go on to form the backbone of the forces fighting to secure their homeland. In Poland, several NATO Allies are teaching Ukrainian tankers how to use the powerful Leopard 2 main battle tank, which many NATO Allies have donated to the Ukrainian Army, giving them mobility and firepower. And in the United Kingdom, British Army bomb disposal experts are training Ukrainian technicians how to detect and neutralise land mines left behind by Russian forces, as well as unexploded ordnance buried in the soil. Since the beginning of Russia’s brutal and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine three years ago, in February 2022, NATO Allies and partners have stood firm in their support of Ukraine’s armed forces, as the country continues its heroic efforts to uphold its right to self-defence enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
Assets details
- Publication date 03 November 2025
- Location Rukla (Lithuania); Świętoszów (Poland), Undisclosed Location (UK), Lithuania, Poland, United Kingdom
- Version Master-with-subs
- Themes Video
- Reference NATO961835
- Music “Biosphere” by Azbel; “Adventure for the Ages” by Guez; “Transitions” by Cotton, Niblet; “Cross-examination” by Juilet; “All That Glitters” by Price
Transcript
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINER, BRITISH ARMY
“They're taking on the lessons, fully into it, trying to learn everything they can to take away, to go back, to then fight back on the front lines.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Three years ago, Russia launched its devastating full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, NATO Allies have been steadfast in supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the weapons and training they need to defend their homeland. Together, they’re helping forge the next generation of Ukrainian soldiers called upon to defend their country.”
TEXT ON SCREEN
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF UKRAINIAN DEFENDERS
—VOICEOVER—
“Armies need leaders, and not just at the top. While generals make plans and issue orders, leadership in the trenches comes from Non-Commissioned Officers. They are the link between enlisted soldiers and officers, charged with carrying out orders and leading troops into the heat of battle. At the same time, they’re responsible for taking care of their soldiers, giving them guidance and mentorship while enforcing discipline in the ranks.
They are evidence of a remarkable transformation in the Ukrainian Army. In years past, Ukrainian enlisted soldiers had to wait for explicit orders from officers before they could act, making for a slower, less efficient force. After Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, however, the Ukrainian Army decided to reinvent itself. It intensified its work with NATO Allies, who helped turn Ukraine’s Non-Commissioned Officers from mid-level enlisted troopers into battlefield leaders. This has made for a more flexible force, and in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression, it has made all the difference.
Here in the deep Baltic forests, the Lithuanian Army is training new Ukrainian Non-Commissioned Officers to be effective sergeants, capable of both caring for their soldiers and leading them into battle.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO TRAINEE, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“The sergeant participates directly in the life of the unit. He trains them, lives with them, he knows everything about his unit and helps it exist, so to speak. Many lives depend on him.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO INSTRUCTOR, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“You become a man when you are responsible for someone else. You perceive reality in a completely different way. It’s like you kind of wake up, so to speak.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Infantry sergeants are frontline soldiers, but they’re also tasked with planning operations and deciding which tactics should be used.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO INSTRUCTOR, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“What was good in this particular course from the NATO instructors was the approach to planning the operation and controlling the planning of the operation, bringing us these standard operating procedures in terms of tactical aspects, mechanised tactics, tactics using armoured vehicles, armoured infantry vehicles like the M113.”
—VOICEOVER—
“NCOs who are confident and empowered with decision-making will make the Ukrainian Army more flexible in battle.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
NCO INSTRUCTOR, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“War, currently, is characterised by a high intensity of action and a rapid change of circumstances. That is, decisions need to be made by people who are in the thick of things, and who see and participate in precisely these areas where circumstances are changing rapidly. Not in the headquarters, but here.”
—VOICEOVER—
“After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, NATO Allies pledged to support the Ukrainian Army with advanced weaponry. Among the assets promised was one of the Alliance’s strongest tanks: the Leopard 2. Manufactured in Germany and currently in service with 15 NATO Allies, the Leopard is fast and strong, with thick armour to protect its crew during intense combat.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
MGEN Piotr Fajkowski, Polish Army
“The tanks bring the new quality. We saw a lot of movies delivered to us from the Ukrainian side. After being hit twice, three, four times, this tank survived. For Ukrainians, this is the power to win the war.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Allies have donated Leopard 2 tanks of various models to Ukraine since 2023. They’ve also been training the crews needed to operate them. At the Combined Arms Training Centre in Poland, a mission funded by the European Union and staffed by NATO Allies, Ukrainian soldiers are fully trained to fight and operate the Leopard 2.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
MGEN Piotr Fajkowski, Polish Army
“The training programme is focused on training the gunner, the driver, the commander of the tank. Then, to make from them the tank crew as the whole.
—VOICEOVER—
“The Combined Arms Training Centre doesn’t just train the crews. They also train the maintainers who will be responsible for keeping the tanks up and running on the frontline.”
—SOUNDBITE IN POLISH —
Maintenance Trainer, Polish Army
“As far as commitment, they are 100 percent. They are motivated and absorb knowledge very well. The situation forces them to study quickly and intensively.”
—VOICEOVER—
“After three years of war, Ukraine is littered with landmines and unexploded ordnance. These deadly explosives are a threat to Ukrainian troops and civilians alike. Cleansing the landscape will take years of painstaking work, in war or peace. That’s why the British Army is helping train new Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians at an undisclosed location in the United Kingdom.”
—SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN —
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINEE, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“We constantly encounter mines because we are on the territory that we had liberated after the departure of Russian soldiers. They have left lots of mines behind. It is a huge problem. At the same time, Russians continue to lay mines all over. Because of that, civilians suffer every day.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Detecting mines means getting low and going slow. Trainees learn how to search the dirt to find mines before they explode. The stress is constant, as any mistake could mean injury or death. But these skills are vital for Ukrainian troops as they continue to defend their homeland.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINER, BRITISH ARMY
“A lot of them do come straight from the front line. I do respect that they're coming here, they're taking on the lessons, fully into it, trying to learn everything they can to take away, to go back, to then fight back on the frontlines.”
—VOICEOVER—
“Ultimately, Ukraine’s greatest weapon is the courage and willpower of the men and women who have fought on the frontlines since 2022. NATO Allies stood behind them then, and stand behind them now.”
—SOUNDBITE IN RUSSIAN —
NCO TRAINEE, UKRAINIAN ARMY
“Personally, my motivation to continue fighting for my country, for Ukraine, it’s the understanding that I will never have a home anywhere else but in Ukraine, because this is my home, my country.”
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This video contains Thomson Reuters copyrighted library material licensed by NATO, which cannot be used as part of a new production without consent of the copyright holder. Please contact Thomson Reuters to clear this material.