PRINCE William got a first-hand insight into the military efforts to keep Europe safe from the growing threat of tyrant Vladimir Putin.
The royal yesterday wore full combat gear and got behind the wheel of an Archer artillery to support UK troops taking part in Nato's Operation Cabrit in Estonia, just 80 miles from Russia.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/U0VVeWbRb1742633571532/1144699911.jpg]
With Putin's war in Ukraine raging, William oversaw a handover ceremony in Tapa from the Royal Dragoon Guards to the Mercian Regiment, which he is Colonel-in-Chief of.
The 42-year-old told troops: "Hopefully this provides a bit of interest for you all and keeps everyone on their toes." William travelled in a Challenger 2 tank before switching to a Warrior infantry fighting vehicle to view a live "trench warfare" exercise in boggy terrain.
Soldiers from the Mercian battlegroup were trying to spot and break into an enemy trench before capturing troops.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/U0VVeWbRb1742633571532/1723144163.jpg]
As three Warriors arrived on the scene after spotting the trench, they opened fire with machine guns.
White smoke grenades were thrown into the trench to obstruct the enemy's view, while yellow smoke grenades indicated the front line position of the allied troops.
A drone was sent up to give the troops a better view of the battle scene.
William said of the exercise: "It's quite useful in itself, just viewing what's gone on in Ukraine, seeing all the kinds of terrain they're operating in and understanding the pros and cons of what's gone on before.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/U0VVeWbRb1742633571532/2441121936.jpg]
"It's quite a lot of things to be thinking about while you're operating out here and does focus the mind a little bit." Speaking of driving the military vehicles, the Prince added: "I've churned up a lot of the mud in the Challenger 2 and the Warrior, I made more of a mess." William met Estonian president Alar Karis during his two-day visit to the country, where temperatures can reach minus 20C in winter.
And he told ...
The royal yesterday wore full combat gear and got behind the wheel of an Archer artillery to support UK troops taking part in Nato's Operation Cabrit in Estonia, just 80 miles from Russia.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/U0VVeWbRb1742633571532/1144699911.jpg]
With Putin's war in Ukraine raging, William oversaw a handover ceremony in Tapa from the Royal Dragoon Guards to the Mercian Regiment, which he is Colonel-in-Chief of.
The 42-year-old told troops: "Hopefully this provides a bit of interest for you all and keeps everyone on their toes." William travelled in a Challenger 2 tank before switching to a Warrior infantry fighting vehicle to view a live "trench warfare" exercise in boggy terrain.
Soldiers from the Mercian battlegroup were trying to spot and break into an enemy trench before capturing troops.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/U0VVeWbRb1742633571532/1723144163.jpg]
As three Warriors arrived on the scene after spotting the trench, they opened fire with machine guns.
White smoke grenades were thrown into the trench to obstruct the enemy's view, while yellow smoke grenades indicated the front line position of the allied troops.
A drone was sent up to give the troops a better view of the battle scene.
William said of the exercise: "It's quite useful in itself, just viewing what's gone on in Ukraine, seeing all the kinds of terrain they're operating in and understanding the pros and cons of what's gone on before.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/U0VVeWbRb1742633571532/2441121936.jpg]
"It's quite a lot of things to be thinking about while you're operating out here and does focus the mind a little bit." Speaking of driving the military vehicles, the Prince added: "I've churned up a lot of the mud in the Challenger 2 and the Warrior, I made more of a mess." William met Estonian president Alar Karis during his two-day visit to the country, where temperatures can reach minus 20C in winter.
And he told ...
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Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 22, 2025