The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have visited Australian troops who are training Ukrainian soldiers to defend their country against Russian forces.
Australian soldiers are running intensive combat courses for Ukrainian recruits at a military base in southern England, pushing them through an accelerated program in basic infantry training that will prepare them for the frontline back home.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the training would make a "real difference" to Ukraine's efforts.
"The people who are being trained have come from normal jobs throughout their country, have volunteered in order to defend their country. What they face is intense danger when they go home and the training that Australians are providing [is] going to help make them safer," Mr Marles said.
"I think Penny and I have an intense sense of pride about what our Australian service men and women are doing here. They are making a real difference to what's happening in Ukraine."
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was moved by the people she met.
"To be here and to speak with those brave Ukrainians who have come here in order to learn better how to defend their country: That is profoundly humbling," Ms Wong said.
The five-week course being run by Australian and British troops covers basic tactics required to survive on the battlefield.
Ukrainian recruits are trained in basic weaponry, including operating and defending against drones.
They are taught how to survive in the elements and how to conceal themselves from the enemy, as well as how to recognise and navigate minefields.
It also covers Russian trench design, which is becoming increasingly important in the conflict as the war becomes bogged down in areas such as Bakhmut.
Around 10,000 Ukrainians have completed the multi-national training course.
The vast majority are recent recruits to the Ukrainian army, with just a fraction of those having had any previous military experience.
An Australian army officer — who cannot be identified — described his pride in watching the new recruits develop life-saving skills.
"Just seeing them coming in as civilians, coming in off the street and giving them that training and the confidence to go back out to Ukraine to fight. That's something that's special to me," the officer said.
"We're really empowering these people to go and fight for their freedom and their country."
A Ukrainian recruit — who also cannot be named — joined the army in May 2022, two months after Russia invaded.
She said she carried grief for what has happened to her country, but getting basic infantry training allowed her to be able to fight back and not become overwhelmed by the immensity of the conflict.
Also, she said, she grieved for the young men, many as young as 19, who "have no option" but to join the Ukrainian forces.
"Our children are dying," she said.
The Australian officer said the horrors back home in Ukraine fed a sense of grit and determination for the Australians now training their Ukrainian counterparts.
"Being one on one, and hearing their individual stories, it's changed all of our perspectives and I think it's something that every soldier, when they leave here, will take away," the officer said.
"It's quite inspiring to see that level of motivation, that level of determination."
Australia's aid focus on 'skills and proficiency'
While Ukraine has welcomed Australia's help in training its troops, in private, their officials are asking Australia for more military equipment to be urgently sent to Ukraine.
Back in October, Australia agreed to send another 30 Bushmasters to Ukraine, taking the total to 90.
Australia also donated six M777 towed howitzers and 28 armoured personnel carriers, as well as other weapons.
However, Ukraine says it needs more from Australia.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Australia has called on Australia to join the international "tank coalition" of nations donating tanks to the frontline.
"We would welcome that, and it would be a significant contribution to Ukraine," Vasyl Myroshnychenko told RN Breakfast.
"Our ability to defend the country will be significantly improved with these tanks coming."
Australia is due to retire its current fleet of Abrams tanks next year.
When asked by the ABC whether the retired tanks could be sent to Ukraine, Mr Marles said: "We will continually assess the contribution that we make and keep the dialogue going with Ukraine."
In the three months since Australia last committed to sending Bushmasters abroad, the UK has made a further four announcements, including commitments to send dozens of Challenger 2 tanks, anti-aircraft guns and hundreds of missiles.
Mr Marles defended Australia's contribution to Ukraine, saying training troops would be the focus for the time being.
"We will continue to have an assessment about how we should best support Ukraine. Right now, the support that's making a real difference is what you are seeing around us here," he said, gesturing to the training grounds.
