WASHINGTON — 5,000 US troops stationed on NATO’s southeastern flank [Romania] are the closest we’ve come to war in Ukraine. Their artillery, located on Romanian territory, has the range to fire at Russian targets in western Ukraine. However, units of the 101st Airborne Division are currently gathering intelligence. It is handed over to Washington, which decides what part to share with the allies and Kyiv.
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For the second time this year, the US command says the 101st Airborne Division is ready to enter Ukraine. Colonel Ed Mataides, commander of the US Army, says his troops are ready to enter Ukraine “if the call comes” [an order from the Pentagon]. He said this last Monday, December 19.
Maj. Gen. Joseph P. “J.P.” McGee, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, expressed the same assurance. According to his statement, his soldiers will carry out any mission assigned by the Pentagon, no matter what lies ahead.
5,000 troops are currently the first operational units of the US Army in Europe amid World War II. A part of the 101st Airborne Division is stationed along the shores of the Black Sea, monitoring the actions of the Russian fleet in the region.
The 101st Airborne Division is part of the US plan to support NATO in the region. The division has been there since June this year. Together with their Romanian counterparts and colleagues from other NATO member countries, the US military conducts almost weekly military exercises. They are focused on a simulated repulse of Russian armed units, Russian artillery, and Russian warplanes.
Romania, in this particular case, is a strategic center for US efforts to counter a possible Russian offensive towards Southern and Eastern Europe.
New military aid
BulgarianMilitary.com recalls that earlier this week Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky gave a speech in the US Congress. He said that American pals are not charity, but an investment in global security and democracy. Mr. Zelensky recalled that Ukraine has artillery, but not enough ammunition.
The US decided to increase its military aid to Ukraine and presented Mr. Zelensky with a part of the weapon systems he requested. BulgarianMilitary.com was one of the first media outlets in the world to write that the US will supply Patriot air defense systems to the US. A few days after the publication, our information was confirmed by the decision of the White House.
Ukraine will also receive direct attack munitions, the M142 High Mobility Artillery Missile System [HIMARS], High-Velocity Anti-Radiation Missiles [HARMs], Cougar Mini Ambush Protected Vehicles [MRAPs], and High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles [Humvees].
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