One of the Ukrainian recruits sent by Kiev to Germany for training in the use of Western weapons is 71 years old, the Financial Times has reported.

The elderly man in question had volunteered to join the Ukrainian military, the British outlet reported on Monday.

NATO instructors working at a military base near Klietz in northeastern Germany told the FT that while they were impressed by the "tremendous motivation" of the Ukrainian trainees, the age and ability of those arriving to learn arms usage "varies widely."