Ukrainian Ambassador buoys padres with visit to Defence Academy

28 February 2025
faith
Ukrainian ambassador in suit smiling.

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi

The Defence Academy welcomed the Ukrainian Ambassador on a visit to learn more about the Academy's support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's illegal invasion.

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, met with the latest intake of Ukrainian padres engaged in training at the Defence Academy's Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre.

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, General Zaluzhnyi's visit marked the solemn milestone, and drew attention to the necessity and value of the training and education Ukrainians are receiving at the Defence Academy.

For the padres receiving training, the visit was also an opportunity to renew and bolster morale - something, as padres, they know is a vital component of fighting power.

The Armed Forces Ukrainian Chaplaincy Course has been run a number of times at the Defence Academy since the start of the war. Over a period of two weeks, Ukrainian padres participate in lessons including the provision of pastoral care and spiritual support to soldiers and their families, and delve into subjects such as bereavement and loss, and managing mental health difficulties.

“The job of the Ukrainian padres is to keep people going: To influence and empower soldiers to take risks and prepare them to go to war” said General Zaluzhnyi as he addressed course members on the resilience needed to provide support to people of all beliefs in the face of any enemy.

Discussing the significance of the Ambassador’s visit to the Defence Academy, Major General Rowell said:

“As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, General Zaluzhnyi’s visit to the AFU Chaplaincy Course at the Defence Academy comes at a crucial time. He provided a vital morale boost for the Ukrainian Padres, reinforcing their crucial role on the frontline. The Defence Academy is privileged to support their training, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges ahead.
“We are grateful for General Zaluzhnyi’s steadfast support and for making this training possible”

Oksana (name changed), an attendee of the event, commented:

“[General Zaluzhnyi’s] speech was heartfelt and touched the audience deeply. After his departure, people felt so enlightened and talked about their amazing experience today. He was incredibly sincere, warm, and inspirational. He ordered students to learn diligently everything that is offered on this course, to be grateful, to look after their soldiers and most importantly to survive.”

The Armed Forces Ukraine (AFU) Chaplaincy Course is entering its third year and has trained nearly 100 padres. It uses classroom and field-based study to equip the course members to deal with conflict on the front line. Read more about this course.