Ukraine's defense ministry says British military instructors have traveled to the country to provide medical and tactical training to Ukrainian troops, the Associated Press reports.

Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianik said Thursday, March 19, that a series of courses will be held by the trainers at bases across Ukraine on combat first aid. Motuzianik did not specify the number of instructors, but said training would be rolled out over a two-month period.

Ukraine has lobbied hard for international material support in its fight against rebellion in the east. The United States has provided non-lethal equipment and is bracing to send its own trainers in the coming weeks.

More than 6,000 people have been killed and 1.5 million displaced by the conflict that began April.