Defence Secretary Ben Wallace fawned over the Ukrainian military while observing a British Army exercise, saying that Volodymyr Zelensky's forces could train UK troops after the war with Russia.

Lessons learned from hunting Russian tanks and aircraft with Western-supplied weapons would be valuable to Britain’s forces, according to the Defence Secretary, via The Telegraph.

Speaking as he visited British troops on a military exercise in Finland, Mr Wallace said that “Ukrainian troops have a lot to teach us”.

He said: “Every day is a learning day for us and the Ukrainians. I think you could definitely foresee Ukrainian experience being used to teach our forces.

“It’s mutual training. Their use of how to fight in built-up areas, their use of electronic warfare, how to deploy anti-air, how they exploited Russian weakness – all of that is important to learn for us.”

Wallace added that Operation Orbital, the code-name for a British military operation to train and support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, could resume soon, having been "paused" and not cancelled.

In January, amid rising speculation of a Russian invasion, Wallace said the UK was supplying weapons and a “small number” of troops in Ukraine for training.

Initially, the training focused on teaching recruits how to spot mines and improvised explosives, provide battlefield medical care and logistics planning.

Unveiling advancements in the scheme in 2017, then-Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “We continue to stand side by side with our Ukrainian friends in the face of Russian belligerence and aggression.

“This training, defensive in nature, will help protect Ukrainian troops against the threats that they face on a daily basis.

“By stepping up our training programmes we are sending a clear message that we support the people of Ukraine and are firmly committed to its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”

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At the end of April the defence sec said Vladimir Putin may start a “mass” mobilisation and use May Day to announce a war on the world’s “Nazis”.

The May 9 date is Russia's 'Victory Day', commemorating the nation's win against the Nazis in 1945. Reports suggest the date could signify a level of propaganda to escalate the military efforts on Ukraine.

"I think he will try to move from his 'special operation'," Ben Wallace said.

"He's been rolling the pitch, laying the ground for being able to say 'look, this is now a war against Nazis, and what I need is more people. I need more Russian cannon fodder.'"

Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/ukraine-could-train-british-soldiers-26878648