Germany completes fourth training round for Ukrainian troops on Patriot air defense systems

Ukrainian soldiers have completed the fourth training session on the use in Germany, says the German Air Force, according to Militarnyi. The Patriot air defense systems are crucial for Ukraine, especially as winter approaches and Russian attacks escalate. These systems enhance Ukraine's ability to defend against aerial assaults, which have increasingly targeted the country's energy infrastructure, leading to severe power outages and humanitarian crises. Reports indicate that Russia has intensified its strikes, with over 1,000 attacks on energy facilities since October 2022, resulting in extensive damage to electricity-generating capacity. Germany and other countries have transferred Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine over the last several years. Upon completing their training in Germany, Ukrainian troops will be able to operate the Patriot systems independently, using them to intercept Russian aerial threats such as aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, or helicopters. For security reasons, the German side has not disclosed the number of Ukrainian soldiers who participated in the training. The German Air Force announced that the fourth group of Ukrainians would start training on the Patriot systems in the second half of August 2024. Ukraine received its first Patriot system from Germany in April 2023. The system was sent immediately after Ukrainian operators completed their training, which began in early February. In August 2023, Germany also supplied Ukraine with two additional Patriot launchers and anti-aircraft missiles for the system. At the end of last year, Germany provided Ukraine with a second Patriot system as part of its military assistance. The German government announced the transfer of another Patriot system to Ukraine in April 2024. In early July, the German ambassador to Ukraine reported that the system was now under the control of Ukraine's Armed Forces. Before this, the Ukrainian Patriot crew had completed training in Germany. In October, Ukraine and Germany signed an agreement to bolster air defense capabilities with funding from partner countries immediately. Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark also joined the initiative.

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