Ukrainians in the U.S. have successfully mastered the Patriot system

A group of 65 Ukrainian military personnel is completing intensive Patriot air defense training. The training takes place at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

This was reported by CNN.

CNN journalists were invited to the base just days before the Ukrainians were expected to graduate from the accelerated course that lasted 10 weeks. Fort Sill is the only place in U.S. where Ukrainians are trained to operate American weapons systems.

According to the U.S. military, The Ukrainians have excelled. They learned the basics of the Patriot system so quickly that they were given extra, intensive training rarely afforded to their American counterparts completing the same course, the officials added.

“Our assessment is that the Ukrainian soldiers are impressive, and absolutely a quick study due to their extensive air defense knowledge and experience in a combat zone,” said Brig. Gen. Shane Morgan, acting Fort Sill and Fires Center of Excellence commanding general.

The system is now set to be deployed in Ukraine in the coming weeks – much sooner than anticipated – giving the country some extra protection against Russian missiles that has been requested since the outset of the war just over a year ago.

U.S. officials also said on Tuesday that Abrams tanks will be deployed faster than expected.

Meanwhile, CNN notes that the two Patriot systems being sent to Ukraine – one provided by the U.S. and one jointly by Germany and the Netherlands – will not be enough to protect entire Ukrainian cities from complex Russian missile strikes.

“A Patriot is not going to be able to defend the entire city” of Kyiv, for example, one senior defense official said.

But it will be better than the air defense systems that the Ukrainians are currently using, which can’t defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 22/03/2022