NATO tool may help Ukraine achieve better compatibility of its armed forces with those of NATO member states. Ukrainian combat veterans get ready to Invictus Games in Toronto.
NATO delegation is on a visit in Ukraine. Agenda of the visit includes expert consultations as well as discussions on Ukraine’s participation in the Alliance’s program “Planning and Review Process”, said Colonel Dmytro Hutsulyak, spokesperson of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, speaking at a press-briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “Planning and Review Process is an efficient tool to achieve compatibility between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and of the North Atlantic Alliance member states. It also helps Ukraine achieve NATO membership criteria,” he said.
Over the last year servicemen of the Ukrainian Air Force took part in over 460 training events, made about 80 tactical flying exercises as well as held over 200 maneuvers. The Air Force reached the 11,5 flight hour mark. “Several dozens of units of combat aircraft entered into service after modernization and renovation. At the end of the year large-scale control and flight military drills of the S-300 antiaircraft missile system took place in Kherson region,” Colonel Hutsulyak added. About 4,5 thousand Ukrainian servicemen were trained at the Air Force Joint Training Center, and over 300 officers graduated from the Kharkiv National Air Force University. Pilot skills they obtained allow them to pilot combat aircraft, including Su-25, MiG-29 as well as Mi-24 helicopters.
Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen – potential Ukraine’s national team members at the Invictus Games are being trained. Invictus Games will take part in Toronto in September 2017. “Thirty nine Ukrainian servicemen and combat veterans underwent selection at the training ground in Lviv. They got injuries or disability when on duty. Pre-selection is due to take place in Kyiv and Odesa. Following the selection stage candidates will take part in the national games that have the same rules as the Invictus Games. Then active training will start. Fifteen best sportsmen will enter the national team,” Defense Ministry spokesperson said. A total of 175 candidates applied to the national team, about 40 of them are servicemen.
