The United States plans to send additional military advisers to its embassy in kyiv as Russia continues its offensive operations in Ukraine, Politico reported.
Four unnamed U.S. officials and another unnamed person familiar with the matter told the publication that the additional troops would primarily support logistics and oversee weapons sent to Ukraine by the United States.
They would also help Ukraine’s military maintain its weapons, said one of the officials and a person familiar with the plans.
There is no confirmation of how many additional U.S. troops would be sent to Ukraine, although two of the officials said the number could be as high as 60.
In a statement to Business Insider, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said, “Throughout this conflict, DOD has reviewed and adjusted our presence in the country as security conditions have evolved. have evolved. Currently, we are considering sending several additional advisors to strengthen the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) at the embassy.
“The ODC performs various advisory and support missions (non-combat) and although it is staffed exclusively by DoD personnel, it is integrated within the U.S. Embassy,” the statement continued, adding that “personnel is subject to the same travel restrictions. like all embassy employees.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the West against sending troops to Ukraine.
After French President Emmanuel Macron said in February that sending NATO ground forces to Ukraine “could not be ruled out,” Putin made his position clear, saying that “the consequences for possible interventionists will be. .. tragic”.
This comes as the US House of Representatives on Saturday approved a bill to send more than $60 billion in additional aid to Ukraine.
The Institute for the Study of War think tank said in an update on the conflict that Russia would now likely step up its attacks on Ukraine in order to make the most of “abnormally dry ground conditions in the spring.” and persistent shortages of Ukrainian equipment” before the new conflict. wrap.
A Ukrainian soldier fires towards the Russian position at Avdiivka. Anadolu via Getty
“The now expected arrival of U.S. security assistance has likely heightened these considerations for Russian forces,” the report said. “The Russian military command will likely intensify its offensive operations and missile and drone strikes to achieve significant operational effects that will certainly become more difficult to achieve against well-supplied Ukrainian forces.”
He adds that Russia will likely target areas where Ukraine’s defenses appear relatively unstable or where they are close to achieving a “significant operational objective,” such as west of Avdiivka or near Chasiv Yar, both in the Donetsk region.
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