EUMAM UAEuropean Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine: Trench warfare – Ukrainian infantrymen train offensive action

In cross-country operations, the decision is often brought about in close combat. For this reason, Ukrainian infantrymen practise offensive action in trench warfare and wooded terrain operations as part of the European training mission EUMAM UAEuropean Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine.

In broken terrain, military leaders must be especially diligent in coordinating fire and movement within their unit. The group providing cover only opens fire on the enemy forces and the point of penetration when ordered, so as to suppress the enemy and enable the assault teams to attack. 

Infantry forces attack in order to engage the enemy or seize terrain. They make territorial gains by exploiting the terrain and the fire of supporting arms and flanking forces. The principle of fire and movement must be followed, especially when in close proximity to the enemy. The decision is often brought about in close combat. This is why Ukrainian service personnel train how to attack enemy trench systems as part of infantry training at EUMAM UAEuropean Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine. They are not only learning skills as individual infantrymen, but also how to cooperate at the platoon and company level.

Once the point of penetration has been seized, the infantrymen learn how to exploit the enemy’s moment of vulnerability to gain ground. For this purpose, the combat is continued across the width of the fighting positions. The ground gained is secured against enemy counterattacks.

About the training mission: EUMAM UAEuropean Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine is part of the support package for Ukraine for its fight against the Russian aggression. The task is to train Ukrainian armed forces to strengthen the country’s defence capability and sustainability. EUMAM UAEuropean Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine was decided by the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 17 October 2022. It is the first training mission on European soil. The 24 European participating nations are planning to provide initial and follow-on training for approximately 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of 2024.