Canadian troops in Ukraine pressing ahead with training mission amid Russia tensions
The commander of Canadian troops in Ukraine says his soldiers are pressing ahead with their mission -- preparing the eastern European country's military for war -- amid the looming threat of a Russian invasion.
In an exclusive interview with The Canadian Press, Lt.-Col. Luc-Frederic Gilbert said he and others are closely watching as diplomats try to avert a possible war following the deployment of 100,000 Russian troops to the border with Ukraine.
"We are monitoring the situation, we are looking at the buildup, of course," Gilbert said. "But right now, there is no impact on the mission and there is no impact on our members. We are keeping an eye on this, but it doesn't affect our day-to-day activities."
Gilbert commands a contingent of about 200 Canadian soldiers who have been deployed on what is known as Operation Unifier. Their mission: train Ukrainian counterparts in everything from the basics of soldiering to advanced engineering and medical skills.
The mission was first launched in September 2015 in response to Russia's sudden seizure of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula the previous year, as well as its support for separatist forces in the eastern part of the country.
Canada isn't alone; not only does Gilbert have a handful of Swedish and Danish under his command, the United States and Britain have also been playing a major role in professionalizing Ukraine's military.
More than six years later, Canada has helped train about 33,000 Ukrainian soldiers. However, Crimea remains under Russian control while the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues to rage, with more than 13,000 lives lost so far.
And now, Russia's sudden buildup of forces along Ukraine's eastern border and Moscow's demands to NATO, which the military alliance has roundly rejected, have led to real fears and warnings of a new war in Europe.
The Canadian troops under Gilbert's command are currently spread across 13 different locations in Ukraine. However, the mission commander said all of them are on the western side of the Dnieper River, which cuts the country almost in half.
"We are operating on military bases, mostly in the centre and west of the country," Gilbert said. "We have nothing east of the Dnieper River."
While that means Canadian soldiers won't be on the front lines if Russian forces do start to pour across the border into Ukraine, it probably wouldn't take long for them to find themselves face to face with invading Russian troops and tanks.
That threat appears to be very real after separate talks between Russia and the U.S., NATO and Ukraine this week resulted in no progress toward de-escalating the current crisis.
Among the Russian demands is that NATO and other Western European allies withdraw their troops from Ukraine and other Eastern European countries that joined the military alliance after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Aside from 200 military trainers in Ukraine, Canada also has around 540 soldiers in Latvia leading a NATO battlegroup that includes troops from nine other countries. The battlegroup was created in June 2017 in response to Russian aggression in the region.
Neither Gilbert nor the Defence Department would comment on what contingency plans are in place to protect Canadian soldiers in the event of a Russian invasion. They also wouldn't say how the Canadian contingent would respond to a Russian invasion.
"The Canadian Armed Forces does not disclose details regarding contingency planning for reasons of operational security," Defence Department spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier said in a statement.
"The well-being and safety of our CAF personnel is our No. 1 priority, and we continue to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and to work with our allies and partners to help Ukraine remain sovereign, secure, and stable."
Gilbert instead emphasized the training mission remains virtually unchanged from a month or more ago with no signs of winding down. That is despite the threat posed by Russia, and the government having only approved Op Unifier to the end of March.
The Liberals have faced growing calls to extend and even expand the mission, which has already been extended numerous times since it was first established, and there is little reason to believe it won't be renewed again over Russia's objections.
"We would be very surprised and disappointed if Unifier wasn't renewed," said Ihor Michalchyshyn, executive director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. "It's become a hallmark of Canada's military security defence relationship (with Ukraine)."
Federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole on Thursday called on the government to immediately extend and expand the mission, alongside a number of other demands, to bolster Canada's support for Ukraine.
"History has shown that capitulation to (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin's aggression in eastern Europe has only led to more military action by Russia," O'Toole said in a statement.
"In order to stop President Putin, Canada must show strength and stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and other Eastern European allies."
While Ottawa and Kyiv have both touted Operation Unifier as a key contributor to Ukraine's security and sovereignty, the mission has come under the microscope for having allegedly helped train far-right extremists in the Eastern European country.
A report out of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in October found that members of Centuria had accessed training from Canada, among other NATO countries, and taken part in joint military exercises.
Centuria is a group that holds ties to far-right movements, venerates Nazi figures and aims to protect what it calls Europe's "ethnic identity," according to the report from the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies.
The Defence Department said Canada relies on the Ukrainian government to vet its security forces, but promised a review.
While some experts have expressed skepticism about Canada's response, Gilbert said he has issued direct orders to his troops to stop all training activities if they become away of any of their Ukrainian charges having links to far-right groups.
"So we do not train them, full stop," he said. "And I'm extremely serious about that."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2022.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Judge in Trump's hush money trial threatened to throw witness out of court for behavior on stand
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Oilers win Game 7 over Canucks, advance to Western Conference Final
The Edmonton Oilers weathered a late Vancouver Canucks charge on Monday night, beating the hosts 3-2 to win their seven-game second-round playoff series in the decisive showdown.
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
Local Spotlight
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
7-year-old Pokémon prodigy heading to Hawaii for world championship tournament
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
From DVDs to rehearsals: Halifax theatre company transforms Video Difference building into arts hub
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.
'Another pair of eyes watching over me:' How a B.C. woman's service dog saved her from drowning
A B.C. woman says her service dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.
Starbucks fan on decades-long journey to visit every store in the world
A Starbucks fan — whose name is Winter — is visiting Canada on a purposeful journey that began with a random idea at one of the coffee chain's stores in Texas.
'Sacred work': Sask. First Nation learning how to conduct its own underground searches
Members of Piapot First Nation, students from the University of Winnipeg and various other professionals are learning new techniques that will hopefully be used for ground searches of potential unmarked grave sites in the future.
'It could mean a cure': Cautious optimism for groundbreaking ALS research at Western
ALS patient Mathew Brown said he’s hopeful for future ALS patients after news this week of research at Western University of a potential cure for ALS.
B.C. musician's song catches attention of Canucks
When Adam Kirschner wrote 'Slap Shot,' he never imagined the song would be embraced by his favourite team.
'We're on standby': Team ready to help entangled right whale in Gulf of St. Lawrence
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.