Key Points
- Canada approved a new military aid package including over 400 armored vehicles for Ukraine and extended Operation UNIFIER training mission through 2029.
- The delivery reinforces Ukraine’s protected mobility and training capacity as Canada continues long-term military and security support during the ongoing war.
Canada on February 24, 2026, announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine that includes the donation of more than 400 armored vehicles and the extension of its military training mission, Operation UNIFIER, for an additional three years, the Canadian government said in a joint statement released in Ottawa.
The announcement coincides with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and reaffirms Canada’s continued military and political support for Kyiv as the war enters its fifth year. Canadian officials said the new measures are intended to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and respond directly to operational needs on the battlefield.
Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty confirmed that Operation UNIFIER will now continue through 2029, allowing the Canadian Armed Forces to expand training and capacity-building efforts for Ukrainian personnel. The government stated that the renewed mandate will increase the number of Canadian Armed Forces members assigned to the mission, providing greater flexibility to adapt to evolving operational requirements.
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“As partners, we must continue taking necessary steps to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position,” the statement said. “This requires agile, focused military assistance that responds directly to operational requirements on the battlefield.”
Alongside the mission extension, Canada approved $2 billion in military assistance for fiscal year 2026–27, aimed at ensuring the Armed Forces of Ukraine maintain access to equipment and capabilities required for territorial defense.
According to the announcement, the military aid package includes over 400 armored vehicles, among them 66 Light Armoured Vehicle 6 (LAV 6) platforms produced by General Dynamics and 383 Senator armored vehicles manufactured by Canadian company Roshel.
Canada was among the first countries to transfer armored vehicles to Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. The Roshel Senator vehicles became some of the earliest armored platforms delivered under wartime military aid programs and were rapidly integrated into Ukrainian frontline and rear-area operations.
Since then, the Senator has become one of the most widely fielded Western-supplied armored vehicles in Ukrainian service. Roshel Chief Executive Officer Roman Shimonov said the company has delivered more than 2,000 Senator armored vehicles to Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion, making the platform one of the most numerous armored mobility assets supplied by international partners.
The Canadian government said the broader assistance package is designed to sustain Ukraine’s operational resilience while supporting long-term defense capacity. In parallel announcements, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand confirmed an additional $20 million contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, intended to help repair and rebuild energy infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes through competitive procurement processes.
Canada also introduced new economic measures targeting Russia, including sanctions against 21 individuals, 53 entities, and 100 vessels associated with Russia’s shadow fleet under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. Ottawa additionally lowered its price cap on Russian crude oil from $47.60 to $44.10 per barrel, aiming to further restrict Russian energy revenues.
The Canadian government said the sanctions are intended to increase economic pressure by targeting financial enablers, cryptocurrency infrastructure, and sectors linked to Russia’s military-industrial base, including drone production and artificial intelligence systems.
The Senator armored vehicle, produced by Roshel in Canada, is a protected mobility platform designed for troop transport, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, and patrol missions. Built on a commercial truck chassis with ballistic protection, the vehicle offers resistance against small-arms fire and explosive threats while maintaining high mobility on roads and rough terrain.
In Ukraine, Senators have been widely used for troop movement near contested areas, evacuation of wounded personnel, and protection of logistics convoys operating under drone and artillery threat. Their relatively simple maintenance requirements and rapid production timeline allowed large numbers to be delivered quickly compared with heavier armored systems.
The LAV 6 vehicles included in the new package represent a heavier category of armored platform, offering increased protection, firepower integration options, and battlefield mobility suited for mechanized operations.
Operation UNIFIER, first launched in 2015 following Russia’s initial aggression against Ukraine, has trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian service members. After the 2022 invasion, training activities were relocated primarily to allied territory in Europe, where Canadian instructors continue preparing Ukrainian recruits and leadership cadres.
