US Mulls Posting More Military Advisers to Kiev Embassy - Pentagon

MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - The United States is considering sending more military advisers to the US Embassy in Kiev, the US Department of Defense spokesman Patrick Ryder said.

"Throughout this conflict, the DOD has reviewed and adjusted our presence in-country, as security conditions have evolved. Currently, we are considering sending several additional advisers to augment the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) at the Embassy," he told Politico.

The Pentagon spokesperson added that the office performed advisory and non-combat support missions despite being staffed exclusively with Department of Defense personnel.

The number of US advisers to be sent to Ukraine could be up to 60, Politico reported, citing two US officials.

Advisers will support logistics and oversee the weapons Washington is sending to Kiev, as well as assist the Ukrainian military in maintaining the weapons, US officials said.

"The US is getting more and more personally involved in this [Ukrainian] conflict. They are getting involved, it's an obvious thing. And let no one say that they have nothing to do with it. We believe that they do," Russian President Vladimir Putin noted earlier.

Western countries have been providing military aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has consistently warned against continued military aid to Kiev, saying this would lead to further escalation of the conflict.