Ukrainian officers to master Patriots in 10 weeks - Defense Minister Reznikov

This is reported by ArmyInform.    

“Our Armed Forces, the National Guard of Ukraine, border guards, Ukraine's Security Service, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, the State Emergency Service, and the civilians are fighting today - this is what inspires the whole world. And today, believe me as the Minister of Defense, who communicates with the Ministers of Defense of our friendly countries, the so-called Ramstein Club is more than 50 countries. They all say: “We are with you to the end, and we consider your victory on the battlefield to be the end.” This is very important,” Reznikov noted.

In particular, Ukraine's Minister of Defense emphasized that today's successes on the battlefield would not be possible without significant help from foreign partners.

“Earlier, we couldn't even dream of what we would be given, for example, the Patriots, the cost of which is a billion dollars, and the training, which is 10 months, is minimal. Today, there is a decision that our officers will be trained in 10 weeks. American partners took on such commitments,” he said.

In addition, he expressed hope that this year will be a successful one for Ukraine.

“I believe that this year will be a year of victory. We constantly talk about this with our partners, and they believe in our victory with you. They want to be partners in this victory today, they like this idea, they relish this word. I will tell you an example. On Independence Day, I wanted to honor our partners with state awards. When I went to Ramstein, I took them with me, but the legal procedure did not allow them to be handed over. I then suggested to Lloyd Austin that I could deliver the awards later through the ambassador or attache. To which he patted me on the shoulder and said that he did not need awards or medals, and that if I really wanted to please him, I should immerse this medal in the Dnipro River when Kherson was liberated (this was before the Kherson campaign). Of course, when it happened, I texted him with the words: “Yes, it's done, the medal is in the Dnipro River,” Reznikov said.

He also mentioned the workers of critical infrastructure, utility workers, volunteers, doctors and representatives of other professions of the Kyiv region and the city of Kyiv, whose professional contribution helped Ukraine repel the enemy.

• On December 21, 2022, the United States announced the decision to transfer the Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. The Patriot is capable of shooting down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and aircraft at much higher altitudes than air defense systems previously provided to Ukraine.

• The Air Force stated that Ukraine's Armed Forces will be able to master the Patriot in a few months.

• On January 17, it was reported that the Ukrainian military arrived at the US Army base in Oklahoma for training on the Patriot air defense systems. 

• On January 17, the Netherlands confirmed the delivery of the Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.