Royal Marines sent to strengthen Ukraine

Britain will commit further Royal Marine commandos and a naval attache to Ukraine in a bid to bolster defences against Russia, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Theextratroopswillprovide combat training to the Ukrainian military and help build the country’s naval capabilities.

Ukraine has been embroiled in conflict since the Maidan Revolution in 2014 which led to separatists, backed by regular Russian military units, seizing Crimea and a large swathe of Ukrainian territory along the border. Gavin Williamson announced the extra support while visiting the front line, where he told his Ukrainian counterparts the UK “supported the people of Ukraine and is firmly committed to its sovereignty”.

Mr Williamson said: “The Kremlin is trying to undermine our values, destroy our way of life, and reverse the outcome of the Cold War. Its behaviour only increases the risk of miscalculation and the prospect of crisis turning to chaos. We want to be able to ensure people who are on the front line, have the best ability to survive and defend their homeland.”

The training, delivered through Operation Orbital, has been expanded in 2018.