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The Biden administration first unveiled its plan to transfer Patriot missile systems to Ukraine in mid-December, but there was still the question over where Ukrainian personnel would undergo training on operating the incredibly complex anti-air defense systems.
Initially, a base in Germany was floated as the likely place, but also amid conjecture that training could actually happen in the United States, which would certainly provoke further condemnation out of Moscow. On Tuesday, two US officials told CNN for the first time that Ukrainian troops will be trained inside the Untied States, as part of a program which starts as soon as next week.
The officials identified that it will take place at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, home to the Army’s field artillery school, and the training is expected to take “several months”.
Given the complexity of the Patriot batteries, which requires about 100 personnel to operate everything from its computers to radar controls to its engagement control station, the timeline commonly offered for a crew to be properly trained is at least six months to a year.
US officials are not giving a precise timeline at this point. Ukraine has been desperate to secure more advanced anti-air systems to protect against the devastating waves of Russian aerial assaults on its energy grid.
Soon after the White House confirmed that Ukraine would get Patriots, Russia said it had been assured by Washington that US or NATO personnel would not man them. It appeared an attempt by both sides to ensure there would be no direct clash among the nuclear-armed superpowers over the Patriots, despite Moscow’s vehement condemnation of the new weapons.
Previously, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said that among training options for the Ukrainians would “include potential training here in the US, overseas, or a combination of both.”
The Patriot missiles could be a game-changer in terms of Ukraine’s defense of its cities, given they have a maximum range of some 100 miles and are capable of downing ballistic missiles. Zelensky has long demanded that the US and NATO help “close the skies” over Ukraine.
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Moscow will likely as a result unleash more intense and escalatory airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and command and control bases in the interim, given the clock is ticking before the more effective Patriots get deployed.
Some observers have also underscored that Patriot delivery confirms we are about to witness a very prolonged war – and yet the Biden administration has yet to articular how or when it sees this ending.
By now the forces of evil, the losers, are dumbfounded! They have become very comical! Ha ha ha ha ha! Patriot missiles are useless! In Saudi Arabia they had launched a Patriot against a Yemeni missile, well the Patriot suddenly turned and launched itself on the Saudis!
So the world would see how useless the Patriot system really is and stop purchasing. Russia will have the chance to practice against the Patriot system.
In the future this is why New York City will be taken out…. its like training your enemy to fight better!
There are the Arrows and Iron Dome system. Nobody talks about them because they are not that bad…
Because American military has never been fond of Arabs. They used to call them sand niggers as taught by their Israeli overlords. They somehow forgotten to reprogram Patriots from the war on Iraq that they delivered to Saudi Arabia. Missiles took on Saudi Arabs imagining they are Iraqis. So, never buy weapon systems from the US if you or someone like you were at war with the US previously.
Not sand-niggers but RUGHEADS
Sorry, for starting all this, but it was nessesary.
Don’t worry, we all know that it was started by the Americans. The main things you people and your Americans owners have in common is your desire to destroy Russia and your kooky identiarianism, so this was bound to happen.
I guess Russia should stop fooling around and DESTROY UKRAINE FOR GOOD!
It’s high time for that
The ukranians are just about done, day late, dollar short
Slap ’em on a bun and break out the beer.
The patriot platform is what, 40 years old now?
There’s only so far marginal upgrades will take you against even normal modern missiles
Let alone the new batch of hypersonic missiles that Russia has been making
well then, neutralize this Oklahoma Base
Nato using Ukrainians as mercenaries to fight Russia. Just as ISIS where mercenaries to fight for Zion/Nato. Sick world.
Even wikipedia admits that dozens of S-300 were destroyed by russians already months ago. Then, what kind of difference will be made by about 1 or 2 Patritot batteries? Madness, simply put.
Washington is losing the conflict with Kyiv by association. Huge loss of prestige.
so we won? not yet? now we are going to shithole oklohoma where tornadoes run riot?
Every day it is something new and over time it adds up. Russia needs to get its act together. It is a rather sad day that Russias response to killing its troops is… oh ya well you better not send yours to man them! Or what? You going to take 18 months to capture a town with a population of 1400……….. Russia should be bombing every damn gov building, every bridge and rail line…. they cant even turn off the lights! Protracted war yes…. in another 27 months Russia may be back in Liman or Izyum. I however doubt the Russian people will put up with the nonsense that long. As they say shit or get off the pot!
Words of an armchair general.
I don’t believe the Ukies are going to have anything to do with the Patriots. They will be operated by the Yanks clandestinely, just like the HIMARS. This is just a cover story.
And the Patriots won’t make a difference anyhow. They’re just a show-off piece because everybody has heard of them, but they are outdated and useless otherwise. The Yanks must be pissing their pants now that all their hi-tech fancy stuff is no match for the Russian weaponry.
I wonder how easy or difficult it is for the men being trained in other countries to escape and apply for asylum?
Ukrops shooting $3 million missiles at cheap drones. Yeah, that’s a plan Ihor. Good thinkin’.
Sometimes, I think it’s Russia that’s using Ukraine to bankrupt the West.
The Iranian drones will take care of them quick
Patriot systems are old and defunkt, easily eradicated
Fortunatelly, they are operated by 100 idiots so it is very effective to destroy that gathering of idiots…
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Russians should create new smaller country with Slavs only and aim to join the EU in the future. 80 millions of Slavs live comfortable life in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia. In fact, quality of life in those countries is quickly overtaking the West. White monoculture and well organised are destined for success. Soon Ukraine will join the EU. Central Europe and Slavs will be the best place on Earth for humans. Slavs will controls Brussel and the EU. Russian Slavic brothers could be part of it!
coZ this USele$$ garbage worked so well for Mudman Bin Salami’s Saudi Barbarians trying to stop the fun loving Houthi Brothers’ beautiful drones in that ongoing bout of angloZionaZi genocide. Even the khaZar juice in apartheid, occupied Palestine can’t stop Gaza bottle rockets with this Pentacon crap.
They will never be deployed in rump Ukrapland, they will be hidden away in some Polak “safe space” as liberated rump Ukrapland is reduced to a landlocked wasteland.
Odessa awaits liberation.
Z
This USadmin is setting itself up to be taught a lesson. The US is actively seeking to destroy yet another country in the name of ‘freedom’. So far the Iraqi’s, the Syrian’s, the Afghans, the Serbian people, the Libyan’s haven’t fallen in love with this ‘freedom’ from america and nato.
This USadmin is poking the bear, so if it takes their face off noone will be surprised or sorry. Seeking to attack a country with vast supplies of resources, manpower, and superior weapons is a fools errand. If one sees one of these fools about completing their errands, please show your appreciation.
Tell the world how much each Patriot missile costs? Completely inappropriate for Ukraine.
40y junk…..next . Patriot…….lmfao