UKRAINE’S hero army recruits must learn to kill Russians “without hesitation” their former commander in chief was warned.
General Valerii Zaluzhnyi told troops at a bootcamp in England: “When you see the enemy, kill him before he tries to kill you or your comrade.”
Paul EdwardsUkrainian trainees taking part in trench warfare exercise in the UK with General Valerii Zaluzhnyi[/caption]
Paul EdwardsSmoke bombs set off during the military training[/caption]
Paul EdwardsThe Sun Defence Editor Jerome Starkey in a trench during the exercise[/caption]
He hailed their extraordinary courage for stepping up to defend their homeland as the world marked 1,000 days since Russian unleashed its full scale invasion.
In a rousing address to his countrymen before they fly home to battle he said: “We have only one Ukraine. No one will defend it except us.”
But Zaluzhnyi – known as the “Iron General” – made no attempt to sugar coat the horrors they would face.
He warned their chance of survival was slim and they would have to learn not to fear death.
He said: “Remember that war becomes more cruel every day.
“It leaves almost no chance of survival. But war will be afraid of those that are ready to join it.”
He added: “Learn not to be afraid of death, not to be afraid to look the enemy in the eye.”
The wildly popular Gen Zaluzhnyi led the defence of Ukraine when Putin unleashed his full scale invasion a thousand days ago on Feb 24, 2022.
His face was stencilled on buildings in newly liberated towns after Russian forces retreated from Kharkiv and Kherson in the autumn of 2022.
But he was sacked by President Zelensky after warning the war had reached a stalemate last year.
And he was appointed ambassador to London after President Zelensky accused the General of harbouring political ambitions.
The Sun joined Gen Zaluzhnyi at an undisclosed base in the east of England where he watched his compatriots storm a trench.
Paul EdwardsUkrainian troops training in mock trenches today[/caption]
Paul EdwardsSoldiers were taught how to use military equipment[/caption]
Paul EdwardsArmed Forces minister Luke Pollard watching the exercise with General Valerie Zaluzhnyi[/caption]
Addressing them after the drills he said: “You must learn here, first of all, to protect yourself. Learn to survive here.
“Second, look each other carefully in the eye. Remember each other. You must remember each other for the rest of your life.
“And worry ‘where is my comrade? Where is Vasyl? Where is Petro? What is wrong with him? Is he alive?’”
Speaking in Ukrainian he continued: “On the battlefield look at the same comrade and try to save him.
“Do anything, save your comrade as much as possible.
“But even this is not enough. It is not enough to save yourself and save your friend, your brother.
“You still need to complete the task. To do this, you will need to kill. Kill without hesitation.
“When you see the enemy, kill him before he tries to kill you or your comrade.”
Some of the audience welled up as he evoked the Band Of Brothers-style camaraderie and the bonds soldiers forge in battle.
He added: “Please learn this here: Love each other. And remember Ukraine.
“If you are gone, maybe someone else will take your place, but Ukraine must be preserved.
“Our children, our women, our parents must live in peace.
“No matter what it costs us. We have one Ukraine. And we will definitely win. Together! Glory to Ukraine!”
Paul EdwardsThe Ukrainian men are completing military training in the East of England[/caption]
Paul EdwardsFormer head of the Ukrainian army General Valerii Zaluzhnyi with Sun man Jerome Starkey[/caption]