On October 21-23 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Maj Gen Valdemaras Rupšys conducted a visit to Ukraine, met with Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lt Gen Ruslan Khomchak and Lithuanian soldiers deployed to Desna and Berdychiv.
"It was a very cordial visit. The Ukrainians received the Lithuanian delegation in a really warm and professional way. We were feeling safe and in friendly hands right from the moment we landed in Ukraine. Such attention from the Ukrainians sends a message to me, as Chief of Defence, that representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hold the Lithuanian Armed Forces and its efforts in very high esteem. I take this attention as an utmost respect for us," Maj Gen V. Rupšys said after concluding the visit.
On the first day of the visit the Lithuanian delegation was welcomed by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the General Staff HQ with a formal ceremony - Honor Guard Company line-up. Lithuanian and Ukrainian anthems, saluting the flags and inspecting the parade.
First of all - paying respects to those perished in the Russian aggression
The visit proceeded to the memorial for the Motherland defenders killed in the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Lithuanian Chief of Defence laid a flower tribute and paid resect to the fallen. Then both Chiefs of Defence visited the memorial hall with names of the soldiers who have fallen fighting for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity since 2014 carved on the walls.
"Respecting their warriors, heroes, defending the land from the enemy is an important symbol in the life of every state. It has been almost 5 years in a row that many days on the calendar are marked with names of fallen soldiers in Ukraine. Thousands of them have perished to prevent the Russian aggression from creeping deeper into the country. We all deeply feel their loss but immensely appreciate its meaning to our common security," Maj Gen V. Rupšys spoke.
Later the delegations headed by Lithuanian Chief of Defence and Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine discussed the Lithuanian-Ukrainian military cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats, security situation, and relevant aspects of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reform. The bilateral meeting focused on the expertise - experience and knowledge - rendered by the Lithuanian Armed Forces in support of the Ukrainian military transformation.
Fog changed plans
Fog descending in and around Kyiv made Chief of Defence modify visit plans. It is not an unusual meteorological condition in this season. It was planned to visit Lithuanian military personnel in Desna, Berdychiv and Yavoriv, however, the last location was postponed for the next time because of the fog.
"Our Air Force completed their task according to the safety requirements, the equipment was operating smoothly, however, the thick fog that we saw each morning of our visit has prevented us from completing our planned programme one hundred percent. Nevertheless, I will have an opportunity to visit the soldiers later. I highly appreciate their service and I know that they are working really efficiently," Chief of Defence said.
Second day - assessment of Special Forces training
Special operations personnel are undergoing intense training at the 142nd Special Forces Training Centre in Berdychiv. The Lithuanian Special Operations Forces and other allies are rendering assistance, training and advising special forces soldiers of Ukraine.
Maj Gen V. Rupšys was briefed on the Training Centre, weaponry, military training and selections, achievements, and soldiers' motivation.
"There are many legends out there about our special operations personnel but I can see them work, and they work really seriously and responsibly. Reciprocal connection and trust has brought tangible results and their dedicated work and results has inspired me. Also, I could not see a single person there in doubt about his choice," Chief of Defence
Sniper training is a success story
Maj Gen Valdemaras Rupšys visited Sniper School in Desna where Lithuanian military instructors with representatives of several other countries are teaching Ukrainians subtleties of the sniper profession. Deputy Head of the School briefed Lithuanian Chief of Defence of the teaching base and sniper training.
"Lithuanians were among the first to come to assist us in sniper training which was very primitive at the time, now we have improved and ask the Lithuanian Armed Forces to continue this initiative which is of great value to us," Deputy Head of the Desna Sniper School said.
What was a plain field of Desna training area a few years ago, now is a modern infrastructure designed for sniper training. Thanks to the infrastructure and sniper instructors trained by Lithuanians the Armed Forces of Ukraine is supplemented by tens of new snipers every year.
"Lithuanians have rained half a hundred of sniper instructors for the Ukrainian military. It is a great result because the instructors go on to train other snipers which ensures a really considerable number of trained military personnel of this qualification," Maj Gen Valdemaras Rupšys summed up.
Training of non-commissioned officers, the backbone of the armed forces, is slowly improving
Divisions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Training and Doctrine Command advise and supervise the basic military training reform and have been delegating NCOs to the NCO Training Centre in Desna since 2016. Chief of Defence found during the visit that the advice of the Lithuanian instructors is integrated into training programmes.
Lithuanian soldiers have contributed to the training of over 60 instructors. A part of them are still undergoing a three-month basic military training course. In summer earlier this year the Lithuanian Armed Forces sent soldiers to deliver a fire commander course and to teach Ukrainians according to NATO experience.
"The relation between a NCO and an officer is very important, however, it is pointless to expect that soldiers will be trained well is NCOs are trained poorly. Therefore investing into a smart, resourceful and constructive NCO can significantly facilitate the reform. That is exactly the approach I have witnessed and it is delightful that the Ukrainian military heard and understood our advice," Maj Gen V. Rupšys said.
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Since 2014 when the Russian Federation violated the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine by annexing the Crimean peninsula and waging aggression in eastern Ukraine, the Lithuanian-Cooperation has expanded and focused on several areas, such as medical rehabilitation of injured soldiers, military training and education of Ukraine's military personnel, military reform.
Lithuanian military instructors are taking part in a programme for training battalions and special forces of the Ukrainian armed forces and actively contribute to the reform of the NCO training system on their own and together with U.S., Canadian, British and Polish colleagues.
Soldiers of Ukraine are constantly invited to study at military training institutions in Lithuania and study at the Baltic Defence College on Lithuanian funding, also, attend various courses held for the in Lithuanian Armed Forces units.
With the establishment of the Lithuanian Military Training Mission in Ukraine on 27 June 2017, up to 60 Lithuanian military instructors and civilian National Defence System personnel can participate in the program at the same time until 31 December 2019. Lithuanian troops are deployed in Ukraine for the purpose of training Ukrainian forces.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence Maj Tomas Balkus
+370 5 278 5091, +370 682 25359, tomas.balkus@mil.lt
Photo credits: Sgt Spc Ieva Budzeikaitė
