New Zealand to send new Ukraine deployment

Russia Ukraine War
New Zealand will help train Ukrainian soldiers as the fight rages in the war against Russia. -AP

New Zealand is making a fresh deployment of 120 troops to support the defence of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said New Zealand Defence Force personnel would head to the United Kingdom beginning this week to help train Ukrainian soldiers as the fight rages in the war against Russia.

"We will continue to answer the call of Ukraine for practical support as they defend their homeland and people against Russia's unjustified invasion," Ms Ardern said on Monday.

New Zealand sent a deployment of 30 Kiwis in May to bolster Ukraine's artillery capabilities, while air force assets have also been sent to Europe to help with war logistics.

This latest, larger dispatch will be focused on infantry, with two teams heading to Europe to "equip Ukrainian personnel with the core skills to be effective in frontline combat including weapon handling, combat first aid, operational law and other soldier skills".

"We know that one of the highest priorities for Ukraine right now is to train its soldiers and New Zealand is proud to stand in solidarity alongside a number of other countries to answer that call," Ms Ardern said.

At no point will NZDF personnel set foot in Ukraine.

New Zealand has offered other support to Ukraine following the invasion, which began in February.

The government has sent more than $NZ40 million in aid, and sanctioned 840 individuals and entities.

Defence Minister Peeni Henare said the deployment would also benefit the Kiwi soldiers.

"This deployment also provides an opportunity for NZDF personnel to gain valuable experience through conducting core soldier skills in a foreign environment, alongside key partners, which promotes retention in our defence workforce," he said.