US Troops Begin Training Ukrainian National Guardsmen - East Idaho News
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US Troops Begin Training Ukrainian National Guardsmen

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GETTY 42015 USUkraine?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1429548917323YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP/Getty Images(KIEV, Ukraine) — U.S. troops began training members of Ukraine’s National Guard Monday to help them fight pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.

About 300 U.S. paratroopers are at the Yavoriv training facility in Western Ukraine, where they will train 900 guardsmen in three two-month rotations.

Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said the training will consist of defensive and civil operations including medical training, casualty evacuation, counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tactics, as well as human rights observance training.  

Ukrainian troops are continuing to battle the Russian-backed rebels in certain Eastern areas, although fighting has largely stopped recently since a cease-fire was signed in February.

Russia has warned, however, that the U.S. training could destabilize the cease-fire and hinder efforts to implement a peace agreement.

In response to Russia’s warning, Warren said Monday, “I would say it’s Russia that’s destabilizing Ukraine.” 

“They are the ones who are continuing to provide lethal weapons, they are continuing sending combat forces into Ukraine. Really it’s the Russians who are destabilizing the situation in Ukraine. This is training national guardsmen in national guard tasks,” he added.


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