Irish troops training Ukrainian deminers in Cyprus

Ukrainian soldiers are being trained in bomb disposal and demining by Irish troops in Cyprus, Irish Defence Forces chief-of-staff Lieutenant-General Seán Clancy said on Wednesday.

Speaking at an annual military conference in Ireland, the lieutenant-general said that troops were “already in Cyprus, delivering basic explosive ordnance disposal and demining training to Ukrainian forces,” the Irish Times reported.

Clancy said that additional personnel were co-ordinating the mission from Germany and Brussels.

The training is being carried out as part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (EUMAM), which was established in November 2022.

Twenty-four member states, including Cyprus, are taking part in the programme, which entails training Ukrainian armed forces within EU territory.

Then-foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides had welcomed the decision, announcing Cyprus’ intention to participate through the provision of expertise in the field of demining.

According to Clancy, Ireland has committed to sending up to 30 military personnel to take part in training in areas such as ordnance disposal and combat medicine.