Sanctions prove Canadian mission in Ukraine had impact: Commander

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OTTAWA — The latest commander of Canada’s navy coaching mission in Ukraine says the very fact Russia has sanctioned him and a number of other of his predecessors alongside dozens of different distinguished Canadians is proof the mission had an impression.

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Lt.-Col. Luc-Frederic Gilbert is one among six former commanders of the coaching mission referred to as Operation Unifier sanctioned by Russia final week as Moscow added 61 Canadians to the listing of these now banned from getting into the nation.

“I’m actually pleased with what we completed,” Gilbert advised The Canadian Press in an interview when requested about his inclusion on Russia’s listing of sanctioned Canadians. “And it is a nice measure of effectiveness.”

Among the many different former Operation Unifier commanders sanctioned have been Lt.-Col. Sarah Heer and Lt.-Col. Melanie Lake, who additionally described the addition of the six senior Canadian officers as an indication of the mission’s price.

Canada first established Operation Unifier in 2015. The transfer was in direct response to Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and its provision of weapons, ammunition and even troops to pro-Russian separatists in japanese Ukraine.

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The aim of the mission, which developed a number of instances earlier than being suspended forward of Russia’s invasion, was to assist Ukraine rework its post-Soviet navy into a contemporary preventing power able to defending the nation.

The federal authorities says greater than 33,000 Ukrainian troopers have been skilled by Canada earlier than the mission was suspended lower than two weeks earlier than Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February.

Gilbert was on the bottom when the order got here down from Ottawa for his 250 troops to pack up and go away Ukraine for Poland previous to Russia’s assault. He says whereas he understands the order to depart, it was nonetheless “a bit bizarre for us.”

“As soon as we have been relocated in Poland, that is the place we went: ‘That simply occurred,”’ Gilbert recalled. “The sensation is a bit bizarre for us as a result of that is towards our nature. … We’re skilled to (combat), we aren’t supposed to depart in these sorts of conditions.”

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Canada and its allies mentioned within the leadup to Russia’s invasion that they’d not deploy troops into Ukraine, fearing such a transfer would escalate the battle and result in an all-out struggle between Russia and the NATO navy alliance. Western nations have as a substitute been offering monetary and navy assist to Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia.

Whereas planning for the withdrawal of Canadian troops began in November, when Russia first mustered of hundreds of troops on Ukraine’s border, Gilbert mentioned it wasn’t till the top of January that everybody realized the risk was actual.

Even then, nevertheless, there was uncertainty. Gilbert recalled his final assembly with a Ukrainian navy officer earlier than departing the nation in mid-February, during which the Ukrainian Nationwide Guard commander dismissed the specter of a Russian assault.

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“He mentioned: ‘We’re going to see one another quickly as a result of this isn’t going to occur,”’ Gilbert mentioned. “I used to be at that time satisfied that one thing was going to occur. He was nonetheless assured this was not going to actually occur. … Sadly, I used to be proper.”

Gilbert and his troops spent a few month in Poland, throughout which period completed packing in preparation for his or her eventual return to Canada. They have been additionally placed on standby in case they have been wanted to supply humanitarian or different help.

All trainers underneath Gilbert’s command have since returned to Canada, although one other group of 150 Canadian Armed Forces members not too long ago headed again to Poland to assist among the tens of millions of Ukrainians who’ve fled Russia’s invasion.

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Gilbert himself is now again at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, the place he’s answerable for 5 Fight Engineer Regiment. Nonetheless, he’s technically nonetheless the commander of Operation Unifier, which is on pause however slated to run till March 2025.

Earlier Operation Unifier commanders have advised the Canadian mission helped the Ukrainian navy change into extra nimble by empowering and trusting these additional down the chain of command with data and to make choices.

This has allowed the Ukrainians to defend on a number of fronts and function in ways in which the Russians weren’t anticipating, together with by deploying small groups who’ve been instrumental in knocking out tanks and different Russian forces.

Gilbert agreed with that evaluation, saying whereas Operation Unifier additionally supplied sniper coaching and different specialised directions, “the small unit techniques is probably the most highly effective demonstration” of Canada’s contribution.