Former soldier is helping Ukraine

Before settling back in Guernsey two years ago, Ben Remfrey spent more than 30 years in the military, specialising in explosive ordnance disposal.

Since Russian forces invaded last week, the Ukrainian army has contacted him regarding 15 different explosives, seeking information on how dangerous they are and advice on how to dispose of them. He said that most were air-dropped into the country and others were guided weapons, designed for short-range combat. In 2021, he was training Ukrainian soldiers, mostly aged between 18 and 30, in ordnance disposal.

‘I spent a good deal of time with this course and learnt a great deal from those attending about how they felt things might unfold in 2022. I think it is safe to say that the majority knew Putin would up the stakes and that they should get prepared for any eventuality,’ he said.

‘They were very positive and proactive and have a great sense of humour.’

Some of those he was training were from the Kharkiv training centre in the far east of the country, which has now been commandeered by Russian forces.

He said that the soldiers he trained would have undoubtedly been in direct contact with the Russian military and some would have likely been killed.

‘The discussions I have had have been very full and frank. They were concerned but there was no fear of confrontation and no fear of dying on behalf of their country.

‘It’s hard for people in the west to understand the mentality of people in east because of the turmoil they’ve been through. There is no love for the Ukrainians with Russia. Because of its history, they always expect to return to the bad times.’

Hundreds of soldiers are believed to have died so far, but reports have said that determining exact numbers is difficult at this stage.

Russia has 900,000 active military personnel compared to 196,000 in Ukraine, but the invasion is believed to have been met with wide resistance from the country’s army.

‘[Ukraine’s] military have spent the last five or six years upgrading itself. We were trying to train up trainers, but we only got to a basic level. I’m absolutely flabbergasted at how brilliantly they have done,’ Mr Remfrey said.

‘With Russia, everyone thinks it is the big bear – the superpower. But for years we have known how badly trained its military is – the general standard is very low.’

Ukrainian citizens aged between 18 and 60 have been conscripted into the army, meaning it has been made mandatory for them to serve.

‘I don’t think people are too worried about conscription because so many people are lining up to fight. A lot of the youth are as passionate about Ukraine as the older generation.

‘Committed defenders will invariably overcome less committed invaders.’

• Read more from Ben Remfrey on Ukraine in Tuesday's Guernsey Press