About 100 Ukrainian soldiers will arrive in the United States as soon as next week to begin training on the Patriot missile defense system. The system is able to identify and shoot down enemy aircraft and missiles. The decision to train the Ukrainian soldiers and provide the missile defense system came out of the December visit to the U.S. by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president said the system and training would make a difference in his country’s war with Russia. The number of soldiers coming to the U.S. is the number required to operate one missile system. An American military spokesperson said the soldiers will also learn about long-term care for the system. The official also said Ukraine’s armed forces will be reduced by 100 soldiers during the training period, which normally takes many months. The Ukrainian training will be briefer so the soldiers can return to the ongoing fighting.
