Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that "65 Ukrainian air defenders completed Patriot training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and have now arrived back in Europe."
He added: "They're integrating with other Ukrainian air defenders, along with donated Patriot air defense equipment from the United States, Germany and the Netherlands. Once in Ukraine, the Patriot air defense system will add to Ukraine's layered air defenses to provide protection and shield from Russia's wanton, brutal attacks on innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure."
Ryder's announcement came after US Army officers said earlier this month that the Ukrainian trainees were learning to operate the Patriot missile defence system "much faster than expected," according to a report.
In late December, the United States said it would send a Patriot air defense missile battery to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russia's invasion.
The White House said in early January that Germany would "join the United States in supplying an additional Patriot air defense battery to Ukraine."
In mid-January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the Netherlands' decision to provide his country with Patriot air defense systems, according to reports at the time.
Thursday is day 400 of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
(gs)
Source: PAP, defense.gov