King Charles in Wiltshire

The monarch's been meeting Ukrainian troops training here

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 20th Feb 2023

The King has made his first visit to Wiltshire since becoming monarch.

He's been visiting Ukrainian troops training in our county, describing them as 'amazing'.

Dressed in a wax jacket, King Charles has been finding out how soldiers have been preparing for fighting against the Russian aggression, once they return home.

He told one of their senior officers when he first arrived:

"You are amazing, I don't know how you do it. I am full of admiration."

Soldiers from Ukraine meeting the King during training at an undisclosed location in Wiltshire

The Ukrainian troops been taking part in a 5 week programme of basic training here.

His Majesty's been spending time watching them take part in military combat training, including a mock gun battle carried out from a First World War training trench.

Many of them had full time jobs before coming to the UK, with a desire to defend their country.

British soldiers explained how the facilities here are similar to the conditions in Ukraine.

The King meeting Major Tony Harris, who's been leading the training in Wiltshire

General Sir Patrick Sanders, the Chief of General Staff for the Army said that the Ukrainians came with real focus.

While British forces have been leading the training, they've been supported by colleagues from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Lithuania, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden and Finland.

His Majesty is greeted in the traditional Maori way by a soldier from New Zealand helping to deliver the training for Ukrainian troops

Major Tony Harris, from New Zealand's armed forces, talked the King through the operation.

Speaking afterwards about his chat with Charles, he said:

"We were talking about the fact they've returned to trench warfare and the contrast with World War One and how we're back in trenches in the 21st century.

"Because of the really stout defence the Ukrainians have put in - they've been able to hold Russian forces to pretty much a stalemate in large parts of the theatre - the large part of holding the line is digging in and preparing for the worst.

"We've always dug fortification as defensive measures. Artillery fire hasn't changed, with shells falling from the sky you still need something to protect you and it just makes sense that this is where we've got to in this war."

Ukrainians have been trained in the UK since July last year - 10,000 troops have left combat ready, with a further 20,000 expected to go through the five-week course in 2023.

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