The United Kingdom has decided to extend the international Interflex training initiative to train Ukrainian forces at least until the end of 2026. According to official data, the program combines combat and leadership disciplines and is designed to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid ongoing Russian aggression.
According to the organizers, Interflex will remain a multinational format and will expand the capabilities of Ukrainian units both within the United Kingdom and beyond its borders.
To date, more than 50,000 Ukrainian service members have undergone training under Interflex at British bases and in partner countries.
“We will continue to strengthen our support together with our allies so that Ukraine can defend itself today and deter tomorrow. In light of the ongoing Russian attacks, we must place the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the strongest possible position. And as efforts toward peace continue, we must make the Ukrainians the strongest possible deterrent to ensure this future peace,”
– UK Defence Secretary John Gili
About the Interflex program: scale and participants
Interflex is a multinational initiative to train Ukrainian forces launched by the United Kingdom in June 2022. It has drawn instructors from Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Australia, and Romania, and the course lasts at least five weeks and includes training in weapon handling, first aid, patrol tactics, and operations in rural settings.
In 2023, Britain completed training for 30,000 Ukrainian service members ahead of schedule, surpassing planned targets. Overall, since 2014, more than 52,000 Ukrainian service members have undergone training under the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces programs.
Training takes place at military bases in different regions of the United Kingdom, as well as in other partner countries. The program continually adapts to the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including trench warfare training conducted under the guidance of instructors from the Australian Army.