The United States military could be forced to withdraw its troops
currently based in Ukraine if Russia invaded the country. Nearly 200 US
National Guard troops are in Ukraine. They are part of a regular rotation
since 2015, training with Ukrainian soldiers alongside troops from NATO
countries such as Canada and Germany.
Additionally, there are an unknown number of US special operations forces
in the country, working with their Ukrainian counterparts. US President
Joe Biden has ruled out the possibility of US troops fighting against
Russia if they invade Ukraine.
This is seen as a distinct possibility as Moscow has deployed more than
100,000 troops and combat equipment along the country's borders, according
to Western estimates. This could mean the Americans now in Ukraine forced
to retreat hastily if fighting broke out.
"The Florida National Guard has members currently deployed to Ukraine in
this rotating capacity of advice and assistance," said Pentagon Press
Secretary John Kirby.
"That's clear, we will continue to monitor the situation on the ground,
and if we need to make a decision for force protection purposes, we will,"
Kirby said. "No changes are planned to their operations in Ukraine at this
time," he stressed as quoted by France24, Thursday (20/1/2022).
Since 2015 American reservists have participated in disaster relief
operations and joint military training in Ukraine on a regular nine-month
rotation. They are based in Yavoriv in the far west of the country, near
Poland and far from the scene of fighting between Ukrainian government
forces and pro-Moscow separatists in the east.
The contingent on duty arrived last November and is rescheduled for late
June. Even so, little is known about the small number of US special
operations forces inside Ukraine.
"European Special Operations Command plays a large role in the development
of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces through regular validation
exercises," said Lieutenant Colonel Anton Semelroth, a Pentagon spokesman.
However, he said their numbers were kept secret due to operational
security. "Training with our Ukrainian partners fosters trust, strengthens
preparedness and develops relations, which in turn promotes peace and
stability across Europe," he said in a statement.
Part of the training involves teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to operate
the weapons Washington has given them, which include coastal patrol boats
and Javelin anti-tank missiles.
On Wednesday, the US issued $200 million in new defense aid to Kyiv,
adding to the $450 million allocated last year before Russia began moving
tens of thousands of troops to the Ukrainian border.
However, the presence of an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 US citizens in
Ukraine who may require evacuation in war could change the mission of US
troops there.
In December US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dodged the question of
whether US troops could take part with Ukraine in a possible war with
Russia.
"In a situation like this, I think conveying the red line only makes
matters worse. I think we need to focus on finding ways to defuse and
reduce tension," Austin said in the interview.
