Western instructors admit they have difficulties in training Ukrainian commanders who have already received basic training in Soviet times, the Financial Times reported on Monday, citing Western military officers.
One of the German instructors told the newspaper he had friction sometimes with senior Ukrainian commanders, who have received training in the Soviet Union and therefore "think they know better."
Western instructors also say the age and abilities of the Ukrainian military arriving for training vary dramatically. One of the Ukrainians who was sent to Germany was 71 years old, the report said.
Western instructors teach Ukrainian soldiers advanced tactics and how to operate modern military equipment, including tanks and jets. In June, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc had trained as many as 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers and was planning to continue its training mission to support Kiev.
West Prefers Sending Ukraine Old Leopard 1 Tanks Instead of Newer Models: Reports
Many Western countries are more comfortable sending Ukraine their outdated Leopard 1 tanks rather than the newer and more sophisticated Leopard 2 from their own stocks, the newspaper also reported.
The Leopard 1 tank is considered as the inferior of the two models since it has thin armor makes it vulnerable in areas with little cover, as noted in the report. The Leopard 2, on the other hand, might have a "higher combat value," the newspaper was told by Lt. Gen. Andreas Marlow, the head of the German arm of the EU training mission.
"The advantage of the Leopard 1 A5 is that we can deliver it in three-digit numbers by this year or next year," Marlow was quoted by the Financial Times as saying, adding that "quantity also plays a role" when it comes to providing military assistance to Ukraine.
Russia has condemned foreign weapon supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned the West last year that any arms shipments to Ukraine would be treated as a legitimate target for Russian forces.