Ukraine continues to train its armed forces in collaboration with NATO partners. Rather than suspending programs, Kyiv is relocating joint training centers to domestic territory, a move designed to expand capacity and enhance the exchange of expertise between Ukrainian troops and international instructors.
Pro-Kremlin outlets have circulated a new wave of disinformation targeting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, alleging that Kyiv is refusing to train personnel in NATO countries because of “numerous cases of desertion.”
The disinformation traces back to remarks by Yevhen Mezhevikin, Deputy Chief of the Doctrine and Training Directorate of Ukraine’s General Staff. Mezhevikin never claimed there was “mass desertion” among Ukrainian troops; that assertion is a fabrication. His comments focused on improving the training system for Ukrainian forces and integrating Ukraine’s combat experience into partner-nation military programs.
Mezhevikin reiterated that Ukraine continues to participate in joint exercises with NATO allies, with troops receiving training abroad at all levels. At the same time, he stressed Kyiv’s intention to relocate training centers to Ukrainian territory, a move supported by partner nations. According to Mezhevikin, the most effective exchange of combat experience with allied militaries can only take place on Ukrainian soil, where soldiers with active battlefield experience are available.
He further noted that overseas training is led by mixed teams of foreign experts and Ukrainian instructors who bring the most up-to-date combat experience. Relocating training centers to Ukraine, Mezhevikin explained, would centralize this knowledge transfer and eliminate time lost to moving units abroad. He pointed to Ukraine’s ongoing cooperation with the United Kingdom as a case in point:
“Britain was the first to propose relocating all training to Ukraine, concentrating efforts on specific centers and specialized areas. Under the Interflex program, which trains Ukrainian soldiers to UK Armed Forces standards, we are completing a series of sessions, with British instructors, equipment, and support fully operating on Ukrainian soil,” Mezhevikin said (video reference 00:33:08).
The General Staff official also emphasized that allied nations are keen to learn from Ukraine’s frontline experience, including expertise in combat operations, planning, logistics, and establishing training centers under wartime conditions. Relocating training centers to Ukraine, he explained, is intended to maximize and scale the exchange of operational knowledge between Kyiv and its international partners.
Previously, StopFake also debunked a related fabrication alleging that Ukrainian military units in the Mykolaiv region had been ordered to fire on soldiers accused of desertion.
