The large-scale Ukrainian-US military exercises codenamed Rapid Trident 2016 have begun at the Yavoriv range in Ukraine’s Lvov region on Monday, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported, adding that the manoeuvers, which will last until July 8, involve more than 1,800 troops from 14 countries.
“The drills will involve armored vehicles and army aviation, small-arms target practice will also take place. Colleagues mainly from NATO countries will share their experience with the Ukrainian military,” the press service said.
According to the Lvov garrison and the international military exercise command, “The exercise will include the movement of military convoys, so some highway zones in the military range territory will be closed for civilian vehicular traffic.” The exercise command strongly advises civilians for security reasons not to visit during this period the range’s drill sites. The local residents have been requested not to go picking berries and mushrooms in the range area.
According to the UA Army Europe Command, Rapid Trident is a regional command post exercise and field training exercise focused on peacekeeping and stability operations to ensure a safe and secure environment within the operating environment.
The manoeuvers involve troops from Ukraine, the United States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Georgia, the UK, Moldova, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden and Turkey. The Rapid Trident exercise comes at the explicit request of the Ukrainian government and military.
The Defense Ministry reported previously that the Armed Forces of Ukraine planned to take part in 10 multinational exercise in 2016.
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