Pentagon to begin training Ukrainian forces next month

13:41, 20.03.2015 1 min read

The Pentagon has said that it is moving forward with plans to train six Ukrainian National Guard companies and headquarters staff next month.

The training is scheduled to begin in late April and will focus on "internal defense capabilities," according to Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez, who is quoted by The Hill online edition.

"This assistance is part of our ongoing efforts to help sustain Ukraine's defense and internal security operations," Lainez said.

A total of 300 U.S. soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vincenza, Italy, will conduct the training in western Ukraine near the border with Poland, she said.

The training was originally scheduled to begin this month, but was delayed after Ukraine and Russia reached a second ceasefire agreement in Minsk last month.