A former senior Canadian Army officer has been appointed head of a new Strategic Council that will be responsible for advising Ukraine’s territorial defense forces in the war against Russia.
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Ukraine’s World Congress said on Friday that retired Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) General and former Chief of Defense Staff Rick Heller will take over this new responsibility.
Other former international military leaders are also part of this new group, which provides support to the Regional Defense Militia, made up of Ukrainian civilians.
“The men and women who fought this war are the sons and daughters of Ukraine,” Rick Heller said in a statement. Before Russia invaded their country, they were doctors, students, plumbers and merchants. Today, they are on the front lines with the Ukrainian army to defend their homes and families.”
General Heller was recently present in Kyiv where he met with Ukrainian forces, as well as defense and government officials.
“Ukrainians have shown the world their resolve and determination, but they need our support to succeed against the vicious Russian occupier who is committed to the destruction of the Ukrainian people and the rules-based international order,” added Paul Grodd, President of the Ukrainian World. Congress.
