Latvia to train 2,000 Ukrainian troops this year

Latvia plans to train 2,000 soldiers of different levels of the Ukrainian Armed Forces this year, which will be twice as many as last year, the LETA newswire reported January 21, citing the Ministry of Defense.

On Friday, Minister of Defense Ināra Mārniece (National Alliance) participated in the eighth meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group in Ramstein, Germany. During the meeting, the defense ministers expressed their support and readiness to supply additional weapons to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities to retake its territory.

“In order to win the war started by Russia, Ukraine needs not only moral support. Ukraine needs more. More heavy weapons, anti-aircraft defense systems, artillery, drones and other types of military support,” said Murniece.

The Minister of Defense informed her colleagues that in the near future, Latvia will supply Ukraine with dozens of Stinger air defense systems, two Mi-17 helicopters, dozens of machine guns and ammunition, dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as spare parts for howitzers.

In addition, this year Latvia plans to train 2,000 Ukrainian armed forces soldiers of various levels, which will be twice as many as in 2022.