The Pentagon spokesperson, Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, stated that the US has trained up to 7,000 Ukrainian troops since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year. As part of this training, 65 Ukrainian soldiers completed their Patriot air defence system training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and have now returned to Europe.
Ryder also reported that two brigades, consisting of over 4,000 troops, completed their arms training in Germany. One of the brigades received full equipment with Bradley fighting vehicles, while the other was provided with Stryker vehicles.
“Additional combined arms training is currently underway at Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas in Germany, with two motorized infantry battalions consisting of 1,200 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel,” the spokesperson told reporters.
Since April 2022, an additional 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers finished operator and maintenance training on 20 donated systems. This program, however, is currently ongoing.
Ryder added, “The US will continue to provide training and work closely with our allies and partners to ensure the Ukrainian people have the security assistance they need to defend their country and repel Russian aggression.”
According to The Hill, the Ukrainian troops first arrived in Oklahoma in January to receive training on the Patriot missile system.
Initially, the course was supposed to run for several months but troops finished the training faster than planned.
Patriot missile training
Ukraine repeatedly pushed the United States for the high-tech system to help shield against Russian strikes and Washington promised late last year that it would provide a Patriot battery, with Kyiv’s troops starting training in Oklahoma in January.
“This week, 65 Ukrainian air defenders completed Patriot training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and have now arrived back in Europe,” said Ryder.
“They’re integrating with other Ukrainian air defenders along with donated Patriot air defence equipment from the United States, Germany and the Netherlands,” he said.
