Slovakia to train Ukrainians to defuse IEDs

The Slovak military is set to continue training Ukrainian specialists to clear mines and dispose of explosives, with five courses to take place for more than 70 members of the Ukrainian security forces set to take place at Slovak military training facilities this year, said Defence Minister Martin Glváč on Thursday. "By organising further courses, we continue to meet the commitments that we made at the NATO summit in Wales [in September] that were also declared during our visit to Ukraine last year," said Glváč. The first course, focusing on improvised explosive devices, begins later this month at the facility in Sereď (Trnava region) with 15 Ukrainians receiving expert training. "This course focuses on theoretical knowledge concerning the spheres of use, construction and tactical methods in areas where there is a risk of improvised explosive devices appearing. Those taking part in the course will be able to test all their theoretical knowledge in practice, going through a basic tactical training course," said commander of the sapper battalion Lieutenant-Colonel Dalibor Jelínek.