Chief of Defence and his extended delegation were visiting Ukraine on December 10–12 where they met with Chief of Defence of Ukraine General Oleksandr Syrskyi and the Ukrainian Air Force leadership, and visited the UAV Training Centre. In a site quite near to the frontline General was thoroughly briefed on the current battlefield situation, executed operations, air defence of the capital Kyiv, including using UAVs, electronic warfare systems and fortifications.
General Vaikšnoras conveyed to his Ukrainian counterpart Lithuania’s dedication to continue training Ukrainian military personnel on its territory and through the international formats Interflex and EUMAM, further support to medical treatment of battlefield casualties and their rehabilitation at military medical facilities, as well as cooperation on provision and coordination of military assistance, such as UAVs and drone jamming equipment, artillery shells, integrated air defence systems, etc., and finally, national-level aid to Ukraine in the fight with the means available in Lithuania.
One of the main objectives of the visit was to start cooperation on transferring lessons learned and best practices of Ukraine’s warfighters. The experience of the fighting state is undoubtedly exceptionally valuable in readiness for possible conflicts, especially bearing in mind that the enemy is the same. The CHOD’s delegation comprising representatives of the Lithuanian Air Force visited Kyiv air defence units to learn from their best practices developed in daily effort to keep the sky above the capital clear from the Russian ballistic and cruise missiles, UAVs and manned aircraft threats.
The fortifications systems which proved to be especially effective in Ukraine’s defence against the terrorist russia is not a novelty, however, it needed evaluation how the system could be used in the most efficient manner against direct and artillery fire, as well as against kamikaze drones. The CHOD’s team toured the company support point near Kyiv which played an important role in the success of capital defence in the very beginning of the wide-scale conflict. Lessons learned and best practices in fortification are transferred to the Lithuania military and are already integrated in training.
During the visit to the Operational Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the guests were briefed on the latest warfighting technologies and tactics developed to drive the enemy into operational dilemmas. The UAVs and electronic warfare means which are currently highly used in the war were presented in particular detail, effective and outdated technological and tactical solutions were also discussed.
Chief of Defence wrapped the visit thanking General Syrskyi for cooperation and expressing respect to military personnel of the war-torn country. They agreed to use any means available to support the Ukrainian fighters on the road towards victory against the brutal enemy.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces has trained over 3000 Ukrainian troops, leaders and different specialists across all the formats it contributes to since the beginning of this year. The Lithuanian military handed over military equipment, weapons, and different types of ammunition worth of over EUR 700 million and provided plenty of other directly incalculable assistance before the wide-scale conflict was begun an in the first days of it.
