Operation UNIFIER is one of Canadian military operations in Europe and it is one component of Canada’s support to Ukraine to deter Russian aggression.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), with support from Global Affairs Canada, deployed 200 troops to Ukraine in a non-combat mission for military training and capacity building to Ukraine forces’ personnel to support Ukraine in its efforts to maintain sovereignty, security, and stability, according to National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.
Securing movement: take a look at @CanadianForces members training Ukrainian partners in convoy operations during #OpUNIFIER pic.twitter.com/WAvXA0qTNq
— CF Operations (@CFOperations) January 19, 2017
CAF personnel is mostly composed of troops from the 3rd Canadian Division. They are working with Ukrainian troops on individual weapons training, marksmanship, tactical movement, communication, survival, ethics training, medical training, reconnaissance training.
Watch as members of Joint Task Force – Ukraine keep their skills sharp at the range during #OpUNIFIER @canadianarmy pic.twitter.com/g78GuwoTf4
— CF Operations (@CFOperations) January 11, 2017
The training began in summer 2015 and will kast until March 31, 2017. It is taking place primarily at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre (IPSC) in Starychi in western Ukraine.
See also: Russian aggression against Ukraine, international law and global security: 25 key theses
The Ukrainian ambassador to Canada, Andriy Shevchenko admitted that Canadian soldiers have got valuable new experience from the Ukrainian counterparts, including a better understanding of disruptive Russian tactics and cyberwarfare.
“We know the tools the Russians have been using against the free world when it comes to cyber security, and we would like to share this knowledge with Canada and the free world,” said the Ukrainian ambassador to Canada.
See also: 10 facts about Russian propaganda
