A first batch of more than 600 Ukrainian soldiers have completed a US training course that includes larger-scale exercises that could help Kiev forces in upcoming offensive operations, the Pentagon said Friday.
“This week, the Ukrainian 1st Battalion completed combined arms training with the M2 Bradley fighting vehicle at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany,” its spokesman, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, said in a statement.
The United States has agreed to provide Ukraine with more than 100 Bradleys, which are armed with 25mm automatic cannons and can also fire anti-tank missiles.
Ukraine is expected to launch a counteroffensive against Russian troops in the coming months.
“Approximately 635 Ukrainians completed the approximately five-week training period, which included basic soldier tasks such as marksmanship, along with medical training, squad, platoon and company training, and a force-versus-battalion force exercise,” Ryder said.
A mechanized battalion and a field artillery battalion began training two weeks ago, and another two battalions are scheduled to do so next week, he added.
Russia conquers village
France and Germany urged this Friday to intensify support for Ukraine, invaded by Russian troops for almost a year, during the Munich Security Conference in which the Ukrainian president also participated by videoconference.
With a year to go until the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian militia chief Wagner said his troops had conquered the village of Paraskoviivka, which borders the besieged city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.
Up to now, AFP could not verify this information with independent sources.
Russian troops and Wagner militias have been trying for six months to conquer Bakhmut, which has gained great symbolic value due to the length and virulence of the fighting.