The United States began extended combat training of the Ukrainian military in Germany. The goal is to get a battalion of about 500 men back on the battlefield to fight within the next five to eight weeks, Mark Milley, head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. He is quoted by the Associated Press (AP).
Ukrainian military personnel left the country a few days ago, in Germany they will be trained, prepared for "the start of an offensive or repulse of Russian attacks." The military will be shown how to best move and coordinate a company and battalion in combat using a combination of artillery, armored vehicles and ground forces.
The comprehensive exercise, combined with new weapons, artillery, tanks and other vehicles sent to Ukraine, Milley said, will be key to helping to recapture the territory captured by Russia. He noted that the goal is also that the newly trained forces can use the weapons sent to Ukraine before the spring rains begin.
Milley clarified that the US conducted similar exercises prior to the Russian invasion last February. However, as soon as the war began, the US National Guard and special operations forces, which were trained on the territory of Ukraine, left the country, he claims. European allies are also training the military, he said.
Earlier, The Times, citing intelligence data, reported that Vladimir Putin was preparing to announce a new wave of mobilization, during which up to 500,000 people could be sent to war in Ukraine. Russia is also preparing a new offensive, it was said in the material of the publication.