An expanded training programme for the Ukrainian military by American instructors has begun in Germany. 

The preparation of such an expanded programme has been known since the end of 2022, but the start date was not reported. 

According to AP citing General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, over the next 5–8 weeks, it is planned to train about 500 people. The programme includes working with various types of weapons and working out joint actions and coordination among various types of units, including infantry, mechanised brigades, and artillery. The training will start with theory and work in small groups, gradually reaching the stage of complex exercises at the battalion tactical group level. 

On Monday, Milley plans to personally visit the training ground to see how the exercises are going and make sure that there are no inconsistencies between the programme and the planned weapons supplies.

In comments to the media, Milley noted that the complex exercises should play an important role in preparing for further counteroffensive actions by Ukraine and that the United States expects to transfer new assistance to Ukraine around the time the military completes training and is ready to use it "before the spring rains begin". 

So far, American instructors have trained more than 3,100 Ukrainian military personnel who were supposed to work with certain types of weapons, such as 155mm howitzers and HIMARS. 

As reported, the Institute for the Study of War believes that the Kremlin hopes to seize the initiative in the next six months and prevent new counterattacks by Ukraine.