April 10 saw the opening of the Hard Brotherhood photo exhibition at Kyiv’s Central Museum of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, dedicated to the activities of the joint Ukrainian- Polish battalion. As noted Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland to Ukraine Marek Ziolkowski, the photographers started their work as early as three years ago and, though many can think that it lacks vividness, the exhibition reflects all stages of the regiment’s formation and activity. The exposition is divided into three parts. The first one presents photo materials on creating UkrPolbat. In part, the photos depict negotiations process between Ukrainian and Polish military in 1995. As soon as a year later the first joint military exercise was conducted, which is reflected in the exhibition’s second part. The third is devoted completely to [the battalion’s] service in the international KFOR forces in Kosovo.
At present UkrPolbat consists of the Polish regiment created on the basis of the 14th Tank Brigade, and the Ukrainian based on the 310th Mechanized Regiment of the 24th Mechanized Division. The joint battalion includes 754 combatants, 363 of whom are Ukrainians. Personnel rotation is practiced for the major staff officers, and English is the compulsory language of communication. In the words of General of Tank Brigade of the Polish Army Edward Szwagrzyk, “This kind of cooperation makes it possible to establish closer ties between the Polish and Ukrainian peoples.” In his turn, Deputy Head of the General Administration for Educational Work at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Major General Viktor Aleshenko, reminding those present of the close connection between Ukraine and Poland and of the fact that Poland was the first country to recognize Ukraine’s independence, dwelled on the results of the battalion’s activity: it showed its advantages in joint exercises and its service in Kosovo. During its active service in the Balkans the battalion has carried out 280 convoy operations and gave medical assistance to over 150 local residents. During a joint operation with American military of the international Eastern Brigade the regiment’s servicemen confiscated eighty firearms, over 1000 pieces of ammunition of various caliber, and fifty kilograms of explosives. As Gen. Szwagrzyk told journalists, much has been already done, and the progress is evident. Speaking about future, it is planned to create a joint transport unit.
