US sends 200 soldiers to participate in military exercises in Ukraine
US Defense Department spokesman Steven Warren said the 200 soldiers came from the elite US 173rd Airborne Brigade.
This is the first deployment of US ground forces to Ukraine since the conflict between the Ukrainian government and opposition forces broke out earlier this year.
The exercise, called Rapid Trident, is scheduled to take place from September 13-26, with the participation of dozens of countries around the world.
NATO commanders and Ukrainian troops at the Rapid Trident exercise in 2013 (AP Photo)
According to Mr. Warren, this is a peaceful military exercise, mainly focusing on handling homemade bombs.
The military exercise is scheduled to take place in the Yavoriv region, 60 km west of Lviv region, Ukraine.
Along with the Rapid Trident exercise, US Navy forces will also participate in a naval exercise called “Sea Breeze”, which will begin on September 8-10 in the Black Sea region, with the participation of the naval forces of Ukraine, Türkiye, Georgia and Romania.
The US will also send the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross and 280 US sailors to participate in the exercise. The goal of the exercise is to enhance interoperability between the militaries of the countries and promote regional stability and security among allies and partners.
US military exercises in Eastern Europe are seen as aimed at reassuring allies amid tense relations between Russia and Ukraine./.
According to VOV
