World News | Polish Officials Observe Training of Ukrainians on New Tanks

Warsaw, Feb 13 (AP) Poland's president and defence minister met Monday with Polish instructors intensively training Ukrainian troops to operate the German-made Leopard 2 tanks that some European countries have offered Kyiv to help fight the Russian invasion.

President Andrzej Duda and minister Mariusz Blaszczak also watched Leopard 2 training at a military base and test range in Swietoszow, in southwestern Poland.

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The training is part of the European Union's military assistance to Ukraine.

Taking part are Ukrainian troops from units fighting in the east of the country.

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The intensive training lasts up to 10 hours a day, including weekends, the Polish military said.

Instruction is also being held in Germany.

Stationed in Swietoszow are Poland's 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade and a U.S. armoured cavalry combat group.

Warsaw is among the most active supporters of neighbouring Ukraine, and has pushed European nations to provide the Leopard 1 and 2 tanks.

Germany has pledged at least 178 Leopard 1 tanks and 14 Leopard 2s.

Poland has pledged 14 Leopard 2s.

Other contributing countries are Denmark and the Netherlands.

Poland has also provided or pledged more than 300 of its Soviet-era T-72 tanks and modernised PT tanks.

Ukrainian officials say they expect Russian forces to make a new drive in eastern and southern Ukraine, as the Kremlin strives to secure territory it illegally annexed in late September and where it claims its rule is welcomed.

Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said last week that the first battalion of 31 Leopard 1 tanks in Ukraine should be ready in April.

The first Ukrainian soldiers to be trained on the tanks departed for Germany last week. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)