Ukrainian military completing training on Patriot system – top defense official

The United States is completing a training course for Ukrainian air defense specialists on the Patriot air defense system, which is taking place at Fort Still, Oklahoma.

Lt General Douglas Sims II, director of operations for the Joint Chief of Staff, said this during hearings at the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, according to CNN.

"U.S. armed forces will soon complete the training and equipping of Ukraine's first Patriot battery," the general said.

Read also: AFU’s first battalion completes training to operate M2 Bradley IFV

He added that this is the first time the Pentagon has specified when that training may end.

"We are confident the Ukrainians will employ Patriots with the same expertise they are demonstrating every day with their current air defense capabilities," Sims said.

He also said that since January, the U.S. military has trained over 1,000 Ukrainians, bringing the total trained by the United States to just over 4,000.

Photo: dpa