Irish soldiers train Ukrainian counterparts in Cyprus

Irish soldiers have begun training their Ukrainian counterparts in Cyprus, the head of the Irish armed forces has disclosed.

As reported by the Irish Times, Major General Sean Clancy told an annual military conference in Trim, Ireland on Tuesday that "Irish soldiers are already in Cyprus providing basic explosive ordnance disposal and demining training to Ukrainian forces."

This training operation is part of the so-called EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine (EUMAM) established by the EU in November 2022.

A total of 24 EU member states are participating in the program, training Ukrainian armed forces on EU territory.

It is noted that during the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels last November when the EUMAM program was adopted, the then Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Ioannis Kasoulides, welcomed the decision and announced Cyprus' intention to participate by providing expertise in the field of demining.

Ireland had committed to the participation of 30 military trainers in the program, mainly in bomb disposal and battlefield medical assistance.