A top Defence Force boss is confident the troops leaving for the UK today won't take leave to fight in the Ukraine.
Corporal Dominic Abelen was on leave without pay when he was killed while fighting Russian troops in eastern Ukraine last week.
The main contingent of the second deployment of New Zealand soldiers is about to leave Whenuapai for the United Kingdom.
While there they will train Ukrainian infantry recruits.
The Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour, says the Ukrainians should become more lethal and resilient.
He says the training is a great opportunity to do something useful and he doesn't expect any of the soldiers will take leave to go into Ukraine.
The Defence Minister Peeni Henare says all New Zealand citizens must remember Ukraine is an active war zone.
Reporter Rayssa Almeida spoke to Māni Dunlop from Whenuapai Air Base, where the New Zealand troops were leaving from.
