Brave Ukrainians ready to take fight to Putin after special training in the UK
Deep in a forest in North Yorkshire, Ukrainian military medics are preparing to return to war.
They have been taking part in an advanced combat medical course led by British Armed Forces instructors for the last five weeks.
And within days they will be deploying their new skills in their country's counter-offensive against Vladimir Putin's invaders.
Among them is 5ft 4in Viktoria, 23, who joined the Ukrainian military in July last year.
The former interpreter told the Sunday Mirror: "The course has really helped me and has developed me as a leader.
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"I want to get back to Ukraine now and make sure there is a future for our country and our kids.
It is the first combat medical training course of its kind to be delivered by the British Army and its international partners (Glen Minikin)"Our people deserve to be happy and I am ready to fight until the very end."
Viktoria, who is originally from Kiev, flew into the UK at the end of May to take part in the course alongside 48 of her compatriots.
The British Army have been training them in the use of advanced pre-hospital trauma skills as well as how to deal with mass injuries, including from grenades.
They have also been teaching them how to properly perform life-saving treatments while under fire.
And how to safely move injured soldiers from vehicles and stretchers.
Viktoria, who admits her mum was "traumatised" by her decision to enlist, knows she and her colleagues lives will again be at huge risk within days as Russia are targeting medics, as well as hospitals.
She said: "I hate them. There is a point when you stop feeling something.
"I have lost comrades, but I'm not afraid and I feel a huge desire to live and see a bright future for Ukraine.
"Even if I don't live to see it I want to see that bright future from heaven.
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"I am confident and sure we will win the war."
Ukrainian solider Mike undertakes a training simulation in Yorkshire (Glen Minikin)Viktoria's colleague Viktor, 38, joined the Ukrainian Army in March last year after previously working as a civil servant.
He last week enjoyed an emotional reunion with his wife and two children, who have been living in the Midlands since the start of the war.
Speaking through an interpreter who wept as he recalled the moment he saw his wife for the first time in 15 months, he said: "I worried I would never see them again. There were tears of joy.
"I told my wife I loved her and we all spent the whole day together talking, hugging and kissing."
He added: "The course is very good. I have learned a lot of things and I feel like I have a lot more knowledge now.
"Winning this war will not be easy, but we are counter-attacking now and we will win. We will show no mercy and destroy our enemy."
The British Army have been running basic infantry training courses since June last year and have so far helped train 17,000 Ukrainian troops.
We are the second biggest contributor to Ukraine's war effort, behind the US.
Sasha is taking part in the five-week course, which began in May (Glen Minikin)And alongside offering military support, Rishi Sunak this week pledged £2.35billion of bank loan guarantees to help boost Kyiv's efforts in partnership with the World Bank.
The three-year funding is expected to support public services, including schools and hospitals.
Sasha, 27, who was a physio specialising in treating spinal injuries and fractures before the war began, is thankful for Britain's help.
He said: "It's great to know and feel we are supported. We feel that support."I have been really impressed by the British. They are amazing people and have treated us like really good friends. It's heart melting.
"I have learned so many things on this course. It's great that the instructors here share their expertise and experience with us. It's priceless."
Sasha wasn't originally conscripted due to suffering from circulation problems and was rejected five times before eventually being accepted into the army in March last year.
He said: "It's an honour for me to protect Ukraine and Ukrainians and to be able to give all of myself to my country.
Mike tends to wounds during a training session (Glen Minikin)"I wasn't able to sit at home and do nothing while people were being killed."
He added: "Our generation has to stop this once and forever."It is important for us to chase the enemy out of our country and fortify positions to stop them getting back in.
"We are fighting for future generations as well as our own as well as the future of the whole country. I wish and believe we will have a better life and that this war will soon be over."
Course director captain Phil Williams, of 2 Medical Brigade, has been impressed by the Ukrainian recruits and their spirit, which he describes as "invigorating".
He said: "The stoicism is amazing.
"They're actively being targeted as medics by the Russians and some of them have quite severe PTSD.
"At least two have lost loved ones - friends and family - while the course has been going on over the last four and a half weeks.
"Our worst days in Afghanistan and Iraq are their daily business and we're also relearning from them because we haven't had a conventional war since World War Two.
Captain Phil Williams is the course director and a registered paramedic (Glen Minikin)"But we're upgrading their ability to save lives and they'll come out of here a lot more polished as a medic.
"They're seeing huge amounts of trauma injuries so the course is focused towards the trauma aspect of medical care.
"It is all about saving as many lives as we can and they are absolutely dedicated to learning as much as they can and getting back to do that.
"They want to get back and help liberate their country."
Reacting to what is happening in Rostov, Viktoria, 23, said: "They deserve what is happening to them and I believe it will help us."
Dad-of-two Viktor, 38, said: "I feel happy. Maybe Russians are starting to understand a little bit what is going on. It will probably help us and lead to our logical victory."
Sasha, 27, who worked as a physio before joining the army, said: "It's good news for sure and it's nice for us to hear.
"I just hope it is not going to cause complications for Ukraine."
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