About 300 US Paratroopers Arrive in Ukraine to Train Kiev Forces

Some 300 US paratroopers arrived this week in the western Ukrainian city of Yavoriv to conduct military training with the Kiev forces, the US Army said on its website.

KIEV (Sputnik) — The training mission is funded by a US Global Contingency Security Fund, approved by the Congress.

"The 173rd Airborne Brigade is here to train with Ukrainian forces. We will be conducting classes on war-fighting functions, as well as training to sustain and increase the professionalism and proficiency of military staffs," Maj. Jose Mendez, a brigade operations officer said in the statement published Thursday.

The brigade trained Ukraine forces last year during the so-called Rapid Trident exercises.

On Tuesday, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper said his government would deploy 200 troops to Ukraine as part of a training mission.

In March, a contract bid offer for logistical support posted on a US government website revealed that the US Army intended to send about 300 military personnel to Ukraine to conduct a joint training mission with the Ukrainian army near Lviv from March 5 until October 21.

These Boots Were Made For Walking

© Sputnik / Vitaly Podvitski

Later, the US Army Europe Commander said the training had been delayed to give more time for the reconciliation process between Kiev and eastern Ukraine's independence forces.

Ukraine is planning to hold three joint exercises with US troops — Fearless Guardian 2015, Sea Breeze 2015 and Saber Guardian/Rapid Trident 2015 later this year. Kiev also plans two joint drills with Poland.