“These are fighters who already have a lot of front-line experience. They come here to receive more advanced training at the infantry level,” explains Lieutenant “Eliott”, commander of the Belgian detachment, whose identity must be be kept secret for security reasons. “We also learn a lot from them. They bring us experience of high-intensity combat, which European armies have not had the experience of for a very long time,” he adds.
On the occasion of the ministerial visit, the lieutenant was presented with a medal of merit, addressed by the head of Ukrainian Defense, for his involvement within Eumam. He is the first Belgian to be recognized in this way by kyiv.
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During their visit, the Minister and the Chief of Defense (Chod) attended a demonstration of combat exercises in urban areas. They also thanked the Belgian soldiers for their action in Poland. “This is a fine example of European Defense,” said General Vansina in front of the Belgian detachment.
This visit to Wedrzyn marks the end of a tour with Belgian forces deployed abroad. At the start of the week, the Chod visited Benin and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Belgian detachments are participating in the training of local brigades.
Minister Dedonder then joined him in Romania, to visit the Belgian soldiers engaged in a NATO “battle group” intended to strengthen the eastern flank of the Alliance.
