The Spanish Armed Forces have trained more than 8,000 Ukrainian military personnel in Spain

• Since November 2022, within the framework of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA), more than 185 training modules covering over 30 specialities have been delivered

The Spanish Armed Forces, within the framework of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA), have trained more than 8,000 Ukrainian military personnel in our country, who have subsequently rejoined their units to fight against the invasion of their territory.

Since the start of the mission in November 2022, 185 training modules in more than 30 different specialities have been carried out. In total, 132 Spanish soldiers are participating in this European mission to train Ukrainian soldiers.

The military courses, which are organised to enhance Ukrainian capabilities, have been numerous and diverse. These include Basic Combat Training courses (Basic Recruit), as well as more specific courses on Close Air Support (CAS), International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Vector Geospatial Data TM and Hyperbaric Medicine (HM). Besides, the training included courses for Combat Engineers and Humanitarian Demining.

The Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC) Headquarters manages these training programmes, under the direction of the Operations Command (MOPS in Spanish), to which it is organically dependent. Its operational chain coordinates the various training modules, from the initial design and planning phase to their completion.

In this context, Lieutenant Colonel Juan José López, Chief of Staff of EUMAM UA, emphasises ‘the full involvement of all Spanish military instructors in the training for the Ukrainian personnel, the high motivation of the latter to participate in the training for their willingness to contribute to the improvement of the defence of their homeland. Also, Spain’s significant contribution to this mission, which to date accounts for 10% of the total Ukrainian military trainees. All in all, our country contributes to the collective deterrence of the European Union, while it demonstrates to be a reliable ally that fulfils its international commitments’.

Three and a half years after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Spain reaches this milestone in terms of training, which emphasises the constant commitment of Spain and the European Union to the defence and sovereignty of Ukraine.

EUMAM UA, support for Ukraine

The EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was approved by Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1968 on 17 October 2022. It aims to strengthen the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend  territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and to deter and respond to possible future military offensives by Russia and other potential aggressors. EUMAM works closely with all other international akin partners to provide training support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Likewise, EUMAM is also open to the participation by third States. All mission activities are carried out on EU soil. To date, 24 EU Member States, among which Spain notably stands out, have offered training modules and personnel to the Ukrainian Army.

In Spain, training activities are led by the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC), which is in charge of the coordination with different international operational structures, not only within the European Union, but also with other multinational organisations that also train Ukrainian military personnel. Since the start of this European Union mission, Spain has expanded the training course offer as some courses are now delivered in different units of the Spanish Armed Forces.

The TTCC consists of a Headquarters in Burgos, headed by Brigadier General José Agustín Carreras Postigo, Commander of the 2nd Brigade “Rey Alfonso XIII” of the Legion. The Combat Training Unit (CTU) in Toledo, a permanent unit that provides both basic training and a wide range of advanced courses, and the Training Modules (TM), which are activated to provide instruction in the specialities requested, are dependent from this brigade. All these courses are held at the Army and Navy facilities in several locations throughout Spain.

The Spanish Armed Forces have extensive experience in training personnel from the Armed Forces and security forces of other countries, including Iraq, Mali and Somalia, among others.

More information on the European Union mission in support for Ukraine (EUMAM UA) can be found at Investing in Ukraine’s security is investing in Europe’s security.