US begins training Ukrainian troops to fight pro-Russian forces
The US has begun training Ukrainian troops and special operations forces in an attempt to aid the war-ravaged country to protect its borders against pro-Russia forces, the Pentagon says.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said on Monday, the US troops "will be training five battalions of active-duty troops and one battalion of special operations forces personnel."
“This is part of our ongoing efforts to contribute to Ukraine's long-term military reform and professionalism and to help them improve Ukraine's internal defense capabilities and training capacity,” he added.
The training comes after reports of increased violence in recent weeks between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russia forces in the eastern part of the country.
According to US Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley, “Ukrainian troops have gained combat experience since Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014 and Ukraine has asked the United States to provide them advanced training to protect their borders from further incursions by pro-Russians.”
The Pentagon spokesman noted that as of 2014, the US has spent $265 million to train and equip Ukrainian defense forces with armored Humvees, body armor, counter-mortar radar, night vision goggles and medical equipment. However, it has not provided Ukraine with lethal weaponry.
The US has repeatedly voiced its support for the Ukrainian government but has been cautious not to be directly drifted into military confrontation with Russia.
Since April 2014, eastern Ukraine has witnessed deadly clashes between pro-Russia forces and the Kiev government forces backed by the West.
Tensions have drastically decreased since the signing of the Minsk deal, under which Ukraine’s warring sides agreed to a ceasefire, the pullout of heavy weapons, and constitutional reforms in the country by the end of the year.
The implementation of the latest truce agreement, reached in the Belarusian capital in February, has been making a very slow progress as Kiev and the pro-Russia forces accuse each other of delays and violations.
Over 8,000 people have perished in the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk since April 2014.
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