US to transfer Patriot missile systems to Ukraine sooner than planned

American Patriot anti-missile defense systems may be deployed in Ukraine sooner than planned, as a group of 65 Ukrainian soldiers will complete their training on the systems at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in the coming days.

CNN reported with reference to the representatives of the US Defense Ministry.

"US trainers at Fort Sill, where the 65 Ukrainians have been training since January 15, were able to significantly speed up the timeline of the course because of the Ukrainians' baseline knowledge of air defense systems, the officials said," military officials noted.

According to Fort Sill base commander Brig. Gen. Shane Morgan, the preparedness of the Ukrainian military contributed to the fact that the course was shortened from ten weeks to eight.

The Ukrainians trained every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Their training coursed is to be completed in the coming days.

The publication notes that the decision to speed up the delivery of tanks and Patriots comes as Ukraine is preparing to launch a spring counteroffensive against russian forces.

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