Pro-Russian Protesters Attack A Pro-Ukranian Protester During A Pro-Ukrainian Rally In The Eastern City Of Donetsk
Pro-Russian protesters attack a pro-Ukranian protester during a pro-Ukrainian rally in the eastern city of Donetsk April 28, 2014. Several people were wounded when what appeared to be stun grenades exploded during a rally in support of Ukrainian unity in the eastern, separatist-held city of Donetsk on Monday, a Reuters reporter said. Reuters/Marko Djurica

Ukraine has received firm commitments from Lithuania for military aid, while Canada has vowed to send winter outfit, such as parkas and boots, to aid Ukrainian military against the looming, bitter winter conditions. Lithuania's supply weapons form part of the joint Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine Brigade project, a venture seen to thwart Russia's incursion efforts.

Canada will be sending $11 million worth of non-lethal equipment and training, broken down as follows:

  • $5 million for protective gear, including surplus Canadian Forces cold-weather gearsuch as jackets, hats and gloves
  • $3 million for explosives disposal equipment
  • $1 million for communications equipment
  • $1 million for night and thermal vision equipment, plus binoculars
  • $1 million for medical training, including a mobile field hospital.

Rob Nicholson, Canadian Defence Minister, said the shipment was being facilitated based on Ukraine's request. Based on schedule, Canada will first attend to sending out the first batch of clothing to dress some 30,000 Ukrainian military personnel. It will leave on Thursday by plane and is expected to arrive in Ukraine on Friday. The other equipment will be shipped out in early 2015.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Vadym Prystaiko, who was present when Nicholson announced the shipment of non-lethal aid at a news conference on Wednesday morning, said his country has lodged a request before NATO for lethal equipment. He declined to answer if such request was being entertained.

Nicholson, however, was quick to reply that Ukraine had only asked Canada for non-lethal aid. The winter outfit gear, including jackets and boots, will be sourced from surplus military stocks. Vadym Prystaiko, outgoing Ukrainian ambassador to Canada, had earlier said they remain hopeful that Ukraine's allies will step up their military aid with "lethal" equipment.

Meantime, Juozas Olekas, Lithuanian defense minister, neither confirmed nor denied if his country will be sending lethal military aid to embattled Ukraine. "All things should be on the table," Reuters quoted Olekas. "We've agreed [with Ukraine] that they will check what they need and we will check what we can send them, and then we will find a final conclusion—what we can do, how we can support," he said.

Portal armytechnology.com said part of the joint project calls for Lithuania to train specialists from the Ukrainian Army. The country will also provide ideas and experience on developing post-mission rehabilitation systems. It reported that more than 30 Ukrainian personnel have graduated at the Lithuanian Armed Forces School from a NCO training course.