France Completes Training of Ukraine’s 4,500-Strong “Anna of Kyiv” Brigade

The French military task force "Champagne" is concluding its mission to train the newly formed Anna of Kyiv Brigade, a unit of several thousand Ukrainian soldiers designed to bolster Ukraine's frontline capabilities.

According to an Associated Press report, French officers involved in the training believe the brigade, once deployed, could become a game-changing force on the battlefield.

The brigade will comprise 4,500 personnel, including infantry battalions, engineers, artillery teams, and other specialists, as outlined by French authorities. Currently, over 2,000 soldiers are finishing their final training phases in France before returning to Ukraine, while additional personnel are undergoing training locally.

Anna of Kyiv, after which the brigade was named, also known as Anne of Rus', was the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, Grand Prince of Kyiv. Born in the early 11th century, she became Queen of France through her marriage to King Henry I in 1051. Known for her intelligence and political influence, Anna introduced elements of Kyivan culture to the French court and played a significant role in governance, even co-signing royal decrees. Her legacy symbolizes the historical ties between Ukraine and Europe.

Task Force "Champagne," supported by 1,500 French troops, has focused on teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to operate cohesively and maximize the effectiveness of French-supplied weaponry. Most of the trainees were recently mobilized and had only a few weeks of basic preparation before arriving in France in September.

The brigade’s arsenal is set to include 18 AMX-10 light tanks, 18 Caesar self-propelled howitzers, 128 armored personnel carriers, and a range of anti-tank and anti-air missile systems, among other equipment.

French officers noted that the soldiers are now significantly better equipped for combat operations, which are expected to intensify in the coming months.

“Now they are able to fight, they are able to maneuver,” explained Colonel Paul, who chose not to disclose his last name for security reasons. “They are able to use the different specialists and to use the different equipment they will have on the battlefield.”

It was previously reported that Ukraine has reached an agreement with the French government to equip another army brigade with French weaponry as part of military assistance.