WP: The Pentagon plans to expand the training program of the Ukrainian militaryThe Pentagon is preparing a plan for further supplies of Western weapons and training of Ukrainian military formations to conduct more modern combat operations, WP writes.
This will increase the ability of Ukrainians to "resist the Russians" and deepen US involvement in the conflict, the authors of the article believe.
Dan Lamothe, Karen DeYoungDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other senior Pentagon officials have been thinking about significantly expanding the training of the Ukrainian military.
In the future, this step could significantly increase their readiness and even oust Russian troops from the occupied territories, but at the same time deepen US involvement in the conflict.
The plan, which, according to senior representatives of the Ministry of Defense, has been discussed for several weeks, will rely on weapons and other assistance to Ukraine from Washington and other allies and will significantly increase the combat readiness of Kiev's forces.
Ukrainian combat units of hundreds, and possibly thousands of servicemen, will undergo joint training in the German Grafenwehr, where the US military has been training Ukrainian forces on a smaller scale for many years. Austin expects to increase Ukraine's readiness for maneuvers on the battlefield with the help of more modern tactics and strategy, which is less dependent on thousands of artillery shots a day and grueling and bloody battles of attrition.
It is also known that Austin advocates a significantly expanded training program in the United States, along with similar programs for tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers with the participation of Great Britain, European Union countries and others, for example, Norway. Germany alone plans, in accordance with the EU directive, to train 5,000 military personnel in German military simulation centers and command posts by June.
From the very beginning of the conflict, President Biden stressed that the United States and NATO are not at war with Russia, but are responsible for helping fraternal democracy defend against unprovoked aggression. Moscow rejected these statements, accusing the United States and its allies of using Ukraine as a puppet to achieve their own goals against Russia.
Russia has already tightened its rhetoric in response to military training in Europe. "It is not necessary to say that the United States and NATO are not involved in this war, you are directly involved. Including not only the supply of weapons, but also training. You are training their military on your territory, on the territory of Great Britain, Germany, Italy and other countries," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters on Thursday.
The new training program is being conducted at the request of Ukraine due to the fact that the pace of the conflict will slow down significantly during the icy winter months — the allies are thinking how to use this time best. Counter-offensives south of Kherson, a strategic Black Sea city abandoned by Russian forces last month, and on separatist strongholds in the east are expected to be difficult as the Russians use this time to strengthen defensive lines.
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According to Western intelligence estimates, the Russians will continue to outnumber the Ukrainian military, firing tens of thousands of artillery shells every day in addition to rocket volleys and other ammunition. At the same time, the Russian forces have grown due to the mobilization of thousands of military personnel, but their effectiveness has so far been limited due to minimal training, low morale and logistical difficulties.
But despite the fact that the training of the Ukrainian armed forces to work with specific weapons systems will continue, Western supplies are not unlimited. The purpose of the training is to teach Ukrainians tactics that will increase the effectiveness of their existing weapons, as well as to focus on speed and adaptation when working with small units.
It is expected that a significant part of the Ukrainian cadets will be new recruits, as the Kiev government continues to mobilize almost all available resources, American and European officials said.
Whether the total cost of assistance to Ukraine will increase at the same time is still unclear, but some lawmakers, primarily Republicans, have already questioned its expediency. Although aid to Ukraine still enjoys broad support from both parties, Republicans, and next month they will lead the House of Representatives, have promised to strengthen oversight.
Austin's plan will in some ways resemble the training of US military units at the Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin in California and the Marine Corps Ground and Air Combat Operations Center in Twentynine Palms, California. Before deployment, units conduct weeks of preparation for combined arms combat operations, when infantry, mechanized formations, artillery units and other troops coordinate their steps to detect, encircle and destroy enemy units.
Large-scale training of Ukrainian forces with the participation of the United States began after the Russian invasion in 2014 and the seizure of Crimea. However, then the training was focused on special operations and resistance, and not on a full-scale offensive against a well-entrenched and powerful enemy. Since the beginning of the conflict last winter, instructors have focused on training a small number of soldiers in specific tasks — in particular, the use and maintenance of howitzer artillery.
Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said Thursday that the Department of Defense, together with Western allies and partner countries, is "constantly exploring further support for Ukraine through various security steps, including training." He added that the department has no new announcements yet.
The article was written with the participation of Loveday Morris
