Thread by @thetimes

At a base in Poland about 100 miles from the Ukrainian border, American troops are preparing to launch a crash training programme for small units of the Ukrainian military thetimes.co.uk/article/us-tro…

The training will help the Ukrainian military members to operate the next delivery of battlefield weapons from the US and pre-positioned stocks in Germany.

In a matter of days a massive shipment of arms is due to arrive at the unidentified base

The shipment will include:
🔵 18 towed 155mm howitzers with 40,000 artillery rounds
🔵 14 counter-artillery radars
🔵 Two Sentinel air defence radars
🔵 200 armoured personnel carriers
🔵 11 Russian-made Mi-17 Hip helicopters

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Pentagon has supplied thousands of tons of arms but has carefully avoided referring to any clandestine training programme for the Ukrainian army

When President Biden visited Poland last month he mentioned that US troops were involved in training.

The Pentagon quickly clarified his comment, denying there was any such programme

However, with the imminent arrival of artillery and counter-battery radars, Pentagon officials have revealed for the first time that training will be necessary on these weapons systems. It’s a significant development in the American and Nato military support programme for Ukraine

🗣️ “We do not believe that it’s going to take long for the little bit of training that’s going to be required on the howitzers, on the counter-artillery radar and the Sentinel air defence radar,” a senior US defence official said

The training programme in Poland, masterminded by General Tod Wolters, head of US European Command, is expected to take several days and will involve selected senior Ukrainian non-commissioned officers coming over the border for instruction

Those chosen for the training will already know how to operate radars and artillery but will need specific instruction on how to use the American systems

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