KYIV. June 25 (Interfax-AVN) - The Partnership for Peace training center at the Yavoriv training ground of the Ukrainian Land Forces' Western Operational Command will host a company- level multinational tactical exercise called Maple Arch 2004 from June 26 to July 9.
The exercise will involve up to 140 servicemen from Canada, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
Ukraine will be represented at the exercise by 40 servicemen of the Ukrainian-Polish Ukrpolbat peacekeeping battalion that is accomplishing missions as part of Multinational Brigade East in Kosovo.
Up to 100 servicemen and about 30 vehicles of the Western Operational Command are involved in the preparations for and support of the exercise.
During the exercise, Ukrainian, Polish, Canadian, and Lithuanian servicemen are expected to practice unit actions during a peacekeeping operation in a conflict zone, as well as arrangement of interaction and control of multinational units.
The Maple Arch exercise will have several stages, the press service said. It will feature both lectures and practical training at special training facilities.
In particular, during the first two stages (June 27 - July 2) participants in the maneuvers will attend a series of lectures and demonstrative exercises where special tactical actions will be rehearsed, including terrain patrol, search and arms seizure, protection of vital facilities and high-ranking officials. The third stage (July 3-6) will feature a special tactical exercise. No live firing is scheduled in the framework of the exercise.
Marble Arch 2004 is the final stage of Ukrainian servicemen's preparations for service within Multinational Brigade East in Kosovo. The Ukrpolbat personnel within the brigade will be replaced in early August.