French instructors in Ukraine: an expert explained which assistance would be most effective

As of May 29, discussions are ongoing with France and other countries regarding this matter. If military instructors from France do come to Ukraine, it will be a significant step that has been challenging for Europeans to take.

Military expert and former SSU officer Ivan Stupak told this in an interview with "Unian."

"This should encourage the French to come. Yes, it's a war, it's dangerous. Of course, these instructors will sign separate contracts, for example, with the French government, with the French Ministry of Defense, stating that they fully understand the consequences of their trip. Financial matters for their families in case of injury, trauma, or death will be specified separately. Additionally, their work will be paid for separately," Stupak noted.

"Tactics? More likely, our soldiers can teach them. They can tell them where to run and where not to. We have the experience. Tactical medicine? As an option. There have already been instances when Spaniards taught our soldiers tactical medicine, but there were many examples where our seemingly inexperienced cadets told the Spanish instructors: 'You are doing it wrong, the sequence is incorrect, as practice has shown,'" the expert added.

In his opinion, the most important aspect will be when French technical specialists, who can service Western equipment, come over.

"For example, French CAESAR self-propelled artillery systems - if there's not very serious damage, something caused by a strike or an explosion nearby - they could oversee the electronics and replace parts on site in Ukraine. If the equipment is severely damaged, then of course it needs to be sent to Europe for repairs. This would be important," he added.

Ivan Stupak also commented on European assistance with protecting Ukraine's borders with Belarus and Transnistria.

"Because that's 1,400 kilometers. One thousand kilometers of border with Belarus and 400 kilometers with Transnistria. A large number of our military personnel are stationed there. We don't actually know how many, but to avoid revealing military secrets, we can refer to Lukashenko's words. He said that 120,000 servicemen are stationed on our side of the border. He might have exaggerated, so we can estimate about half - let's say 60,000. Still, that's a significant number. If the French come and stand, for example, from Volyn to Chernihiv region at the border in trenches, in dugouts - it would be a great help to us," the expert explained.

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