A French military task force called “Champagne” completes its mission to train a newly formed brigade of several thousand Ukrainian soldiers.

The brigade, armed with tanks, artillery and heavy weapons supplied by France, is preparing to enter the battlefield after two months of rigorous training in eastern and southern France, according to Associated Press.

The deployment comes at a crucial time as Russian forces continue to strive to take control of the entire Donetsk oblast, with the support of 12,000 North Korean troops stationed in the Russian border region of Kursk , according to intelligence from the United States, South Korea and Ukraine.

French authorities have said the newly formed “Anne of kyiv” brigade, named after a kyiv princess who became queen of France, will constitute a significant force on the battlefield, eventually consisting of 4,500 soldiers. The brigade will include infantry battalions, engineers, artillery units and other specialists.

Currently, more than 2,000 soldiers are completing their final training in France. Most were recently mobilized and had only received basic training before arriving in France in September. Meanwhile, Ukrainian military trainers continue to prepare additional troops for the brigade in their country.

The “Champagne” task force, made up of around 1,500 French soldiers, focused on providing Ukrainian troops with tactical skills and expertise in the operation of French weapons. The brigade’s arsenal includes 18 AMX 10 light tanks, 18 Caesar truck-mounted artillery systems, 128 armored personnel carriers, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems and other military equipment.

Journalists were not allowed to interview the Ukrainian soldiers, but French officers overseeing the training expressed confidence in their progress. “They have improved a lot,” a colonel identified by his first name told The Associated Press. “Now they are able to fight, they are able to maneuver. They are able to use the different specialists and use the different equipment that they will have on the battlefield.”

Polish PM to speak with UK, French and NATO leaders on protecting Ukraine after Trump victory

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced his intention to hold talks with his British counterpart Sir Keir Starmer in the coming days.