Ukrainian Soldiers to Train on Missile System in US

Ukrainian Soldiers to Train on Missile System in US

About 100 Ukrainian soldiers will arrive in the United States as soon as next week to begin training on the Patriot¹ missile defense² system.

The system is able to identify and shoot down enemy aircraft and missiles.

The decision to train the Ukrainian soldiers and provide the missile defense system came out of the December visit to the U.S. by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian president said the system and training would make a difference in his country's war with Russia.

The number of soldiers coming to the U.S. is the number required to operate one missile system. An American military spokesperson said the soldiers will also learn about long-term care for the system.

The official also said Ukraine's armed forces will be reduced by 100 soldiers during the training period, which normally takes many months. The Ukrainian training will be briefer so the soldiers can return to the ongoing³ fighting.

The soldiers will stay at Fort⁴ Sill, a Patriot missile training center.

The U.S. offered Ukraine one missile system during meetings in December, along with other military aid. Germany also offered a Patriot system last week.

Each Patriot system comes with eight launchers that carry four missiles. The U.S. said it has 16 groups of soldiers that operate Patriot missile systems.

The Patriot systems will add to air defenses already sent by the U.S. and other NATO partners.

Ukraine has been defending itself from Russian missile and drone attacks for nearly one year. The war started in late February of last year.

Words in This Story

 

drone –n. an unmanned aircraft controlled by someone far away, often used for attacks in war or to take photos from above

1 patriot   

n.爱国者，爱国主义者

参考例句：

• He avowed himself a patriot.他自称自己是爱国者。
• He is a patriot who has won the admiration of the French already.他是一个已经赢得法国人敬仰的爱国者。

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

4 fort   

n.要塞，堡垒，碉堡

参考例句：

• The fort can not be defended against an air attack.这座要塞遭到空袭时无法防御。
• No one can get into the fort without a pass.没有通行证，任何人不得进入要塞。