U.S. SOLDIERS WILL TRAIN UKRAINIAN NATIONAL GUARD
WASHINGTON - The United States is preparing troops to send to Ukraine to train National Guard units. Training will officially begin this spring.
Four companies of the Ukrainian National Guard will be trained by U.S. European soldiers. American soldiers will be sent to the Yavoriv Training Area near the city of L'viv, located some 40 miles from the Polish border. The number of troops required for the mission has yet to be determined.
Ukraine's National Guard was only established last March in response to the conflict in the eastern part of the country. The guard is comprised of military veterans and existing troops from the Interior Ministry. The force end-strength is set at 60,000. The government in Kiev requested U.S. assistance in strengthening its law enforcement capabilities through a training program.
The U.S. has already earmarked $19 million to help build the National Guard. Funding has been approved by Congress and will be provided via the Global Security Contingency Fund.
Source: Defense News
Associated URL:
http://www.defensenews.com/
Author: R. Barrett Edwards, Eurasia Analyst