The US sends an airborne battalion to Ukraine
Berlin – Kyiv, March 03 (PolitNavigator, Vasily Ablyazimov) – The United States is sending a paratrooper battalion to Ukraine, according to German Economic News . The soldiers will train Kyiv troops to defend themselves against artillery and rocket fire, and later, the Americans could possibly help Ukraine learn to use American weapons. Russia announced several months ago that it classifies the deployment of American soldiers or weapons to Ukraine as a provocation.
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“The commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Task Force has already announced the deployment of an airborne battalion to Ukraine. They will educate and train Ukrainian army units,” the publication writes.
The first American paratroopers will be sent to Ukraine by March 8, said Michael Foster, commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Task Force, in Washington.
“Before the end of this week, we will form a battalion ... that will train Ukrainian troops on the spot,” Foster said.
Earlier, the commander of the US Armed Forces in Europe, Ben Hodges, said that 600 paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of US Army soldiers will undergo training in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces must learn how to defend themselves against “artillery and missile attacks.”
In the long term, however, the troops could also be used to train Ukrainian troops to use American weapons. Military experts warn that without the appropriate qualifications of the Kyiv military, supplies to Ukraine are impossible.
The UK will also send soldiers to Ukraine in the next few weeks for “advisory and training”. Prime Minister David Cameron announced this in London last week.
The decision followed a visit to London by Secretary of State John Kerry, during which Kerry called for tougher sanctions against Russia.
Russia has previously made it clear that American weapons for Kyiv will sharply aggravate the conflict in Ukraine.
The US is sending an airborne battalion to Ukraine.