Ukrainian MoD: US servicemen visited the front lines in the Donbas
A delegation of US servicemen in the Donbas, who are headed by the Commander of the Land Forces of the US Armed Forces in Europe, Lieutenant General Frederick Ben Hodges, reported on the constant and grave violations of the Minsk Agreements made by separatist groups. This was reported by the press service of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine.
The Ministry noted that delegation visited the Mariupol operational-tactical group in the Donbas in Donetsk and Luhansk on the 28th of August. The reason for the visit was to discuss the continuation of military-political dialogue between the armed forces of the two countries.
The US delegation was provided with documentary evidence of crimes committed by Russian troops against the local population. They were also shown evidence of the targeted destruction of infrastructure in Donbas by heavy artillery, mortars, tanks and other heavy armored vehicles. The US servicemen also visited one of the mobile hospitals of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the trip. Hodges wished the Ukrainian servicemen a speedy recovery and return to duty.
“When we remember our dead and wounded comrades, we understand that we have to prepare to perform service tasks more efficiently and make serious demands on the preparation of young servicemen as they are the future of the army. That is why the US Armed Forces will provide further assistance to the Ukrainian Army,” Hodges said.
On the 27th of August, the US delegation transferred the first five of the planned 40 BURTEK B4731 vehicles to Ukraine. These vehicles are designed to provide emergency medical care in field conditions.
In August, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Valeriy Chaly, said that Ukraine can receive lethal weapons after the US elections. According to him, the US will provide maximum support for the entire period of Ukraine’s independence. This support amounts to more than $650 million. Of this, $335 million will be allocated for the security and defense of Ukraine. A total of $50 million may be used for the supply of defense-type arms.
In January, the US Embassy reported on the transfer of medical equipment and means of communication to Ukraine for their Armed Forces amounting to $23 million.