And, thus far, it seems to be working. They were there to train Ukrainian troops at a base in western Ukraine. That planning cell has grown to include participants from 20 nations. From until early this year when they were withdrawn by the White House, American Green Berets and National Guard instructors trained more than 27, Ukrainian soldiers at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center in western Ukraine outside of the city of Lviv.
The years of training together have vastly improved the Ukrainian SOF fighting capabilities. Braga, the commander of U. Army Special Operations Command, told a group of Senators a few months ago in describing the planning cell. Members of the team spoke with the media from Coffee or Die magazine and explained how the task force is set up and works.
Kyiv has been consistently asking for more advanced weaponry with longer ranges since the war began. The HIMARS will allow Ukrainian troops to hit the Russians at ranges that they are currently being targeted and puts them on somewhat equal footing although the Russians maintain a huge numerical advantage.
The Ukrainians attended 3 weeks of training on the weapons that have been delivered. The US Navy will provide Ukraine with 18 patrol boats as part of additional aid that was announced on Thursday.
These patrol boats are used to protect rivers and inland waterways. An unnamed Defense Department official said that the US was sending two small unit riverine boats that are 35 feet long, six maritime combat boats that are 40 feet long, and 10 medium force protection patrol boats that are 34 feet long.
