EUMAM UA Continues Its Specialization Trend with New Training for Ukrainian Soldiers

•  During the first Military Police module, conducted in Bétera, Ukrainian personnel received instruction ranging from hand‑to‑hand police combat to live‑fire exercises

The Military Police Battalion (BPM) of the 1st High Readiness Headquarters Support Regiment (CGTAD)—the Spanish Army’s reference unit in this field—has carried out a new Military Police training module at its facilities in Bétera (Valencia). The full training cycle, which began in mid‑April and lasts one month, is structured into three blocks designed to allow Ukrainian personnel to progress effectively and assimilate concepts more easily.

This first module, conducted in Bétera as the core foundation of the program, consisted of three blocks. The first focused on police hand‑to‑hand combat and combat medical care. The second addressed tasks inherent to military police operations, such as security and mobility support. The final block centered on police intervention, including Close Quarters Combat (CQC), active‑shooter drills, and police raid procedures.

According to the module chief, Commander José Luis Rodríguez Sánchez, the Ukrainian personnel arrived with a solid training base that made it possible to identify differences between the procedures of both armies. However, ‘all the knowledge and experience of our personnel has been transferred to them so they can adapt it to their own context and carry out their missions as effectively as possible upon returning to Ukraine.’ He added that the trainees ‘have shown outstanding commitment.’

Spanish instructors also consider the module highly valuable, noting that ‘we have also received feedback, as well as their combat experiences, which enriches our own training and strengthens bonds of camaraderie,’ one instructor stated.

These training courses remain a key element in raising the technical level and operational capability of Ukrainian forces, while reaffirming Spain’s commitment to its international obligations.

EUMAM UA: Support to Ukraine

The EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was approved by Council Decision on 17 October 2022. Its objective is to strengthen the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ ability to defend Ukraine’s internationally recognized territorial integrity and to deter and respond to potential future military offensives by Russia or other aggressors. EUMAM works closely with like‑minded international partners to provide training support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

EUMAM is also open to participation by third states. All mission activities take place on EU soil. To date, 24 EU Member States, including Spain in a prominent role, have offered training modules and personnel for Ukrainian troops.

In Spain, training activities are directed by the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC)—under the command of the Joint Operations Command—and coordinated with various international structures, both within the EU and through multinational agreements. Since the start of the mission, Spain has expanded the range of courses, now delivered across multiple units of the Spanish Armed Forces.

The TTCC consists of a Headquarters in Burgos, led by Brigadier General Francisco Javier Calero Perea, commander of the ‘Aragón’ I Brigade. Under his command, operates the Combat Training Unit (UFC) in Toledo—permanent, responsible for basic and specialized training—and the Training Modules (TM), activated to deliver instruction in requested specialties. These courses are conducted at facilities of the Ministry of Defence, the Army, the Navy, and the Guardia Civil across Spain.

The Spanish Armed Forces have extensive experience training military and security personnel from other nations, including Iraq, Mali, and Somalia. To date, Spain has trained over 8,900 Ukrainian soldiers under the EUMAM UA mission.