Top brass drilling Ukrainian troops in the war effort against Russia will now tone down the sound of weaponry after the complaint. Military training of Ukrainian troops at a British site has been slashed by a third after locals complained about the noise.
Lydd Town Council in Kent recently told the Ministry of Defence it received a ‘complaint made by residents’ about war sounds coming from a nearby military training camp.
The unusual move prompted a response from the base’s Lieutenant Colonel Mark Powell, who agreed to slash training by 30%, among other noise reduction measures.
In a letter addressed to the ‘good people of Lydd,’ he wrote: ‘We are deeply appreciative of the support we receive from Lydd while we train the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
June Beaumont who has lived metres away from the site for 35 years, said: ‘If you buy a house or move next to an army camp what do you expect it to be? Quiet? ‘They are defending the country. It’s no use sending people out who are not trained and can’t deal with explosions or gunfire’
‘I understand this creates noise above and beyond what was typically produced by UK forces training at Lydd.’
Read out during a meeting at the council chambers the letter continues: ‘In response to a number of letters raised about the noise, I have directed my team to review our processes and can report we have reduced training activity by 30%.
‘We have rescinded the use of the most intense smoke effects and we will reduce the duration and intensity of the loudest sound effects.
‘The people of Lydd have been unfailingly welcoming to my team and I am wholly committed to maintaining a strong relationship. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there are ever any concerns.’
To date, the UK and its allies have trained more than 17,000 armed forces of Ukraine personnel in areas such as frontline combat and more specialized training.
