Ukrainian armed forces to join British VE Day parade

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1. ***The Telegraph reports***:

   Ukrainian armed forces will take part in the UK’s military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

   The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Ukrainian personnel will join around 1,000 UK service personnel from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force in London on Monday.

   This joining together will symbolise the global support for Ukraine’s “continued fight for freedom against Russia’s unprovoked, illegal invasion”, the MoD said.

   Victory in Europe Day, known as VE Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the day the Allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender in 1945.

   The representatives of the Ukrainian armed forces taking part in the procession will comprise those deployed to the UK on Operation Interflex – the UK armed forces’ training programme for Ukrainian recruits, delivered with 12 partner nations.

   The UK and its allies have trained more than 54,000 Ukrainians in frontline combat skills since the programme was established in the summer of 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

   The operation has been extended to at least the end of the year, with an enhanced training programme to ensure the Ukrainian forces are equipped with vital battlefield skills.

   The Ukrainian armed forces representatives will join the UK military personnel, including soldiers on horseback and seven military bands.

   The MoD said [Second World War veterans](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/03/30/ve-day-royal-british-legion-tea-party-80th-anniversary-may/) will be at the heart of the celebrations, watching the procession from the royal box at the Queen Victoria Memorial.

   D-Day veteran Jack Mortimer, 101, who will be watching the procession, said: “People from all over the world joined forces 80 years ago to defend freedom – we must remember all of their sacrifices.

   “It will be incredibly moving to see the VE Day procession and so many nations represented. It will remind us that these alliances still keep us safe today and why we stand by those who need our support.”

   Mr Mortimer will join Second World War veterans at the Royal British Legion’s tea party and service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on May 8.

   **Full story:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/03/ukrainian-armed-forces-join-uk-ve-day-parade/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/03/ukrainian-armed-forces-join-uk-ve-day-parade/)

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