Ukrainian soldiers complete Patriot missile training — Pentagon

Pentagon says Ukrainian troops have completed training on Patriot air defense systems.

The training took place at the Fort Sill base in the US state of Oklahoma. There were 65 Ukrainian soldiers in the training crew, Patrick Ryder, Pentagon's spokesperson, says during a briefing.

Currently, the Ukrainian military arrived in Europe to interact with their comrades who are undergoing training in Europe.

"This week, 65 Ukrainian air defense personnel completed training on Patriot systems at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and have now returned to Europe. They are integrated with other Ukrainian anti-aircraft forces, as well as with the Patriot air defense systems provided by the United States, Germany and the Netherlands," Ryder said.

As the spokesman emphasized, the training of a crew of over 4,000 Ukrainian soldiers in two brigades is expected to be completed at the end of this month.

One is equipped with a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, and the other with a Stryker infantry fighting vehicle, after which they will return to Ukraine.

"Currently, additional joint military training exercises are underway in Germany at the Graffin-Beer and Hohenfels ranges," the Pentagon spokesman added.

In connection with the accelerated training of Ukrainians on Patriot air defense systems, the systems will be handed over to Ukraine sooner than the USA originally planned.

Washington announced the transfer of the first Patriot air-defense system to Ukraine on December 21 as part of another package of military aid.

Germany also promised to provide Patriots to Ukraine. The Netherlands will also supply Ukraine with the air defense systems and a number of missiles.