British Army Teaches Ukraine How to Shield Vital Infrastructure from Russian Strikes
The British Army’s Royal Engineers have launched a vital new training programme to help Ukraine protect its critical national infrastructure (CNI) from deadly Russian missile and drone attacks. With winter looming, the race is on to save civilian lives by securing energy, water, and transport facilities from Putin’s relentless bombardments.
Training Ukraine to Fight Back Against Putin’s Attacks
Russia’s ongoing missile and drone strikes have wreaked havoc across Ukraine, threatening millions of civilians. In response, the UK programme trains Ukrainian experts to identify weak points in key infrastructure, calculate blast ranges, evaluate weapon damage, and strategically place defences like physical barriers and aerial countermeasures. The goal: keep lights on and water flowing through the brutal cold months ahead.
“This tailored training package will play a pivotal role in preserving lives during the bitterly cold winter months, where access to reliable energy is of utmost importance,” Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said.
£100 Million Boost and Hands-On Training for Energy Sector
The two-week course was fast-tracked following Ukraine’s call for better energy sector protection. It builds on earlier lessons—moving beyond basic sandbags to advanced force protection tactics. The UK has also pledged a £100 million aid package via the International Fund for Ukraine. This includes heavy-duty vehicles and maintenance kit to strengthen defensive efforts.
At the UK-hosted Ukraine Recovery Conference, an additional £45 million was unveiled to help restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, underscoring London’s commitment to Ukraine’s fightback.
Expert UK Engineers and Ukrainian Teams Join Forces
Ukrainian professionals from energy, water, transport, and academia came together to share expertise and strengthen their national network. The Royal Engineers drew on specialist reservists with UK critical infrastructure experience and ran realistic training drills at a gasworks, military airstrip, and port—based on lessons learned from disaster zones in Bangladesh and Nepal.
“The Ukrainian participants showed exceptional motivation and have the skills to apply these specialist force protection measures back home,” said Major Michael Suddaby of the 63 Works Group Royal Engineers.
Thanks to this cutting-edge training, the British Army is playing a crucial role in shoring up Ukraine’s defences and helping protect millions from the hardships of war.
