Around 200 Canadian soldiers will be sent to western Ukraine to help train its soldiers and military police, the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced in Ottawa on April 14.
The Canadian Forces will assist British and U.S. troops in a non-combat role beginning this summer, based mostly at the NATO training centre in Yavoriv, close to the Polish border — far from the conflict in the east.
Canadian troops will focus on training the Ukrainian military in flight safety, logistics systems, medical treatment, and the disposal of explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices. Canada will also provide training for Ukrainian National Guard personnel.
Canada has also committed to sending non-lethal equipment to Ukraine, such as helmets, bulletproof vests and sleeping bags.
The mission will last until March 31, 2017.
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