They are back — after six months away in England training Ukrainian soldiers to prepare them for their homeland where they will face Russia’s invading forces, 2PPCLI’s deployed soldiers arrived home by bus.

It was after 10:30 p.m. when the bus pulled up at 2PPCLI, and soldiers departed and headed for the MPTF, where family members awaited their arrival. They had flown into Winnipeg following their cross-Atlantic flight home to Canada.

Hugs, kisses and handshakes from the 2PPCLI Command Team were part of the homecoming in the MPTF gymnasium. 

One dad reached into his suitcase and presented his two sons with stuffed toys he brought back from the UK mission. The youngest of the two boys was told his gift was from King Charles III’s coronation.

Another dad crouched on the floor to watch his daughter dance around him, before they both headed over to the table where cookies, muffins, coffee and iced tea was available for those in attendance. His daughter showed off a large muffin she chose, while he poured a coffee.

Soon after, soldiers either stored their UK luggage, or carried it out to waiting cars and trucks in the MPTF parking lot.

With the bus long gone, and cars, SUVs and trucks departing the scene under cover of darkness, all that remained was the Command Team chatting, and a cleaning crew putting away the uneaten desserts and beverages.

Another deployment done, 2PPCLI soldiers who were on it will now enjoy the summer, returning to work in late August.

Op UNIFIER is the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) military training and capacity building mission in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was launched in 2015 at the request of the Ukrainian government, and in 2023, was extended until March 2026.

There are currently more than 300 CAF members now deployed under Op UNIFIER training and support roles, as well as aiding in the facilitation of military aid delivery.

Since the start of Op UNIFIER, the CAF has trained more than 37,000 Ukrainian military and security personnel in battlefield tactics and advanced military skills.

As the mission progressed, much of the direct training undertaken by CAF members transitioned to members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with Canadians acting as advisors and mentors as well as assisting in the development of courses.

From 2019-2022, members of Op UNIFIER also played a leading role in the Multinational Co-ordination Cell (MCC), which facilitated co-ordination with the training missions of partner nations in Ukraine.

This included planning training priorities among multi-national partners such as Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Canada was the first nation to provide full time staff to the MCC.

Aspects of the mission were temporarily paused following the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with a commitment to resume training when and where conditions permitted.

Training of Ukrainian recruits has since resumed with Canada currently supporting five training missions in the UK, Poland, and Latvia which teach both basic and advanced military skills to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada remains committed to continuing to provide Ukraine with the military equipment and training it needs to defend its sovereignty, freedom, and independence.

Canada has also resumed its role in the co-ordination and planning of training, as well as helping to oversee efforts to supply and equip the Armed Forces of Ukraine, through its critical role as part of the Security Assistance Group – Ukraine (SAG-U).

Canada’s contribution during the Op UNIFIER deployments include:

More than 300 CAF personnel are currently deployed on Op UNIFIER.

Since August 2022, approximately 170 CAF have been deployed to the UK to support the training of Ukrainian recruits.

Since October 2022, Canada has deployed approximately 45 combat engineers to Poland to assist in the training of Ukrainian sappers.

Since February 2023, CAF has deployed approximately 25 armoured soldiers to Poland to assist in the training of Ukrainian crews.

Since March 2023, CAF has deployed approximately 10 medical personnel to Poland to assist in the provision of lifesaving skills to Ukrainian soldiers.

Other personnel are currently stationed in Europe working with Allies on a range of topics including the facilitation of military aid, alignment of future donations, as well coordination for the immediate and longer term training needs of the Ukrainian Forces. 

In the UK, the CAF is working with allies to train Ukrainian recruits in soldiering skills such as weapons handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, patrol tactics, and the Law of Armed Conflict.

In Poland, the CAF is providing training on a range of basic and advanced engineering skills, including engineering reconnaissance, the use of explosives for demolition work, and demining; skills relating to the use and operation of the Leopard 2 MBT in combat; and teaching advanced tactical medical skills to bolster the Ukrainian military’s ability to save lives.

In Latvia, the CAF is delivering Junior Officer Leadership Development training that will instruct Ukrainian junior officers on responsibilities in battle, the process of planning and orders, manoeuvre coordination, intelligence reconnaissance, and planning and execution.