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Germany Trained 26,000 Ukrainian Troops Since 2022 in Advanced Combat Programs

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Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko
Katherina Popilnichenko
News Writer
A German Bundeswehr Major speaks to members of the Ukrainian military who are learning to operate Leopard tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles during a press date at a training ground. (Source: Getty Images)
A German Bundeswehr Major speaks to members of the Ukrainian military who are learning to operate Leopard tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles during a press date at a training ground. (Source: Getty Images)

Since the middle of 2022, roughly 26,000 Ukrainian service members have completed training in Germany. This effort is coordinated by the Special Training Command (MN ST-C) .

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on April 6, the training took place at more than 50 military and industrial sites across the country.

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The training covered a wide range of basic military skills in all operational areas. This included general military training, marksmanship, tactical planning, and medical care. The programs also focused on defense against weapons of mass destruction, demining, logistics, and communication.

"In addition, specialized training formats, as well as the training of staff officers, strengthened leadership qualities, management capabilities, and operational planning. All branches of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) allocated personnel and specialists, supported by highly motivated multinational instructors," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated.

The Ukrainian military highlighted the importance of direct feedback between the training command and the soldiers. Information from the front lines during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine influenced the development of the training programs.

This allowed for quick changes to priorities, specifically in the use of drones, tactical procedures, and the maintenance of equipment in combat conditions.

Training was consistently planned and conducted according to the principle of “adaptation to the combat mission," the General Staff explained.

The Special Training Command operates as a multinational headquarters. About a third of its staff comes from 13 different partner nations. This structure shows the collective European commitment to supporting Ukraine.

In recent months, the command has remained a key part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).

Last November, the EU Council extended the EUMAM Ukraine mandate until November 15, 2026. This mission was established in October 2022 to assist in training Ukrainian troops, with most activities taking place in Poland and Germany. Currently, a coalition of 32 partner states supports the training through two main missions.

Over the past two years, about 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers have received training across 24 participating countries. The programs continue to evolve based on the immediate needs of the Ukrainian military on the battlefield.

Germany introduced new regulations that required men aged 17 to 45 to obtain official permission before they left the country for extended periods.

This rule, which became effective on January 1, 2026, applied to individuals who planned to stay abroad for more than three months for reasons such as education or employment. To comply with the law, those affected had to secure authorization from a Bundeswehr Career Center before their departure.

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M-N S-T-C, which stands for the Multinational Special Training Command.

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