2022 Operation Interflex began on 9 July 2022, led by the British Army's
11th Security Force Assistance Brigade. Approximately 1,050 British military personnel were placed on standby to assist with training, which is held at several sites across the UK. To assist with training, the UK government rapidly procured
AK variant rifles, similar to those used by Ukrainian forces. visits Ukrainian troops training in the
North East of England in July 2022. By 30 June 2022, approximately 450 Ukrainian troops had received training in the UK. This training reportedly focused on the use of UK-supplied weaponry, including
M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems. On 11 November 2022, it was reported that approximately 7,400 Ukrainian military personnel had completed training in the UK. The training has received praise by the Ukrainian military; according to Brigadier Justin Stenhouse, who oversees the training programme, one Ukrainian commander informed him about a recent frontline incident where 10 Ukrainian soldiers came under Russian attack but stood firm and “took the fight to the Russians, while the others took cover”. This inspired the rest of their platoon to join the fight and, after the Russians had been repelled, the commander asked them why they had done this, to which they replied: “This is what we were taught to do in UK training.” The
Royal Navy is also contributing to the programme with Ukrainians being trained in maritime skills, such as damage control, minehunting and weapon drills. In October 2022, Russia accused British naval specialists of providing "guidance and leadership" to Ukraine in its attacks against
Sevastopol Naval Base on 29 October.
2023 On 15 January 2023, the British government announced another package of military aid for Ukraine, which included 14
Challenger 2 main battle tanks. Ukrainians began arriving for training on the tanks in early February. During the same month, it was also announced that training would be expanded to marine infantry and fighter pilots. By 16 February 2023, British and international trainers had trained 10,000 Ukrainian recruits. On 8 February 2023,
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited
Lulworth Camp along with British prime minister
Rishi Sunak, where he met Ukrainian troops who were being trained to use Challenger 2 tanks. By 5 July 2023, 18,000 Ukrainian service personnel had been trained under Operation Interflex. In July 2023, the Royal Navy
Diving and Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG) taught Ukrainian Navy divers and personnel who operate uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) how to find and safely neutralise free-floating buoyant mines, ground mines and improvised explosive devices in, on, and around the water at
Loch Ewe in Scotland. By 30 September 2023, approximately 20,000 Ukrainian service personnel had received training. UK Defence Secretary
Grant Shapps also disclosed that there were ongoing discussions on moving the British-led training programme "into Ukraine". By November 2023, over 30,000 Ukrainians had received training.
2024 In February 2024 the BBC disclosed that the British army was training Ukrainian troops at secret camp in East Anglia. In March 2024, the first Ukrainian pilots passed basic flight training, allowing them to progress onto advanced flight training in France. In November 2024, the Defence Secretary announced that the number of Ukrainian recruits to have been trained as part of the UK-led operation had hit 50,000. Also in November 2024, the Ministry of Defence said that more than a quarter of the
British Army's training estate was being used for Operation Interflex, constraining the Army's capacity to train its own soldiers.
2025 In December 2025, the British government announced that a member of the
Parachute Regiment, Lance Corporal George Hooley, died in Ukraine during a test of Ukrainian weapons which
BBC News reported was said to be an armed interceptor drone. It is the first time a Parachute Regiment member had been confirmed in Ukraine;
The i Paper reported he was working for the
Special Forces Support Group. ==International assistance==