First International Ukrainian–British Military Exercises End in Ukraine

Cossack Mace 2021, the first international Ukrainian–British military exercises held in the Mykolayiv region from 12 to 24 July, ended.

As the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on Facebook, the units of a separate mechanised brigade of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces, a special unit of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, and members of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, with the support of aviation of the British Royal Air Force and Ukrainian helicopters, acted together under the command of a Ukrainian officer for 12 days.

About 2,000 troops and more than 300 units of military equipment from five partner countries defended, counterattacked, overcame water obstacles, carried out rapid raids, and fought in urban areas.

“During the training, interoperability and coordination of actions of the multinational unit was achieved. Ukrainian commanders gave orders to the Scottish unit in English in accordance with NATO standards. Communication compatibility was achieved not only vertically between headquarters, but also horizontally (between units up to the platoon level),” the statement reads.

According to Colonel Volodymyr Kokorev, head of the exercises and head of the training department of the Operational Command “East,” these exercises helped the Ukrainian military to improve interaction and interoperability with the British military and other NATO armies and contributed to security and stability in Europe.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine stressed that the military maneuvers were unique as the British unit had redeployed combat and support equipment in full force for the first time in the history of Ukraine–UK bilateral relations.

Bohdan Marusyak