General Staff changes approach to military training: more training to be held in Ukraine

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is revising its approach to training servicemembers and placing greater emphasis on training directly in Ukraine. One of the key changes will be a gradual reduction in the practice of sending servicemembers abroad for basic combined-arms training. This was announced by the deputy head of the General Staff's Doctrine and Training directorate, Colonel and Hero of Ukraine Yevhen Mezhevikin. Practical effectiveness remains the main criterion when choosing a training format. According to Mezhevikin, the Ukrainian side analyzes the quality of training programs and moves away from formats it cannot influence or that insufficiently account for current combat experience.

Logistics is also an important factor. Conducting training in Ukraine makes it possible to avoid lengthy movement of personnel between countries, respond more quickly to changes at the front, and adapt training programs to units' real needs faster. Ukrainian instructors with current combat experience will play a distinct role in the new model. The General Staff is strengthening their selection and rotating them more frequently, so that specialists who are directly familiar with modern combat conditions are involved in the training process.

At the same time, international cooperation in training is preserved. Partners continue to support training programs and are also helping develop the training and material base directly in Ukraine.

The shift in approach means a gradual transition to a more flexible training system, in which training is brought as close as possible to real combat experience and the current needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.