Western experts train Ukrainians to use sophisticated NATO weapons, says separatist serviceman

The Ukrainian military is not yet able to operate sophisticated NATO weaponry themselves, which is why Western experts act as troop commanders, Russia-installed Lieutenant Colonel of the People's Militia in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), lawmaker Andrey Bayevsky told TASS.

"As for the 155 mm calibre guns or the same [US-made multiple launch rocket systems] HIMARS - this is already quite a sophisticated type of weaponry. It is impossible to retrain personnel in one or two months so that they can start using it. That is, they can, they will fire it somewhere, but they will not be able to use it properly in terms of conducting an effective fire attack. That is why we regularly record that with each weapon that is more or less technically complicated the real calculation commander is a Western expert," he said.

According to him, the Ukrainian armed forces have already mastered simpler weapons in operation.

"The simplest types of equipment can be used after a short training course. And no one expects them to be used very effectively. The 60 mm mortars that are supplied to battalions on the front lines, for example, are primitive weapons that can be learned to use within a week. And they are supplied, they have been using them since about 2016, I already saw the characteristic shanks after the shelling of Staromikhailovka and the Petrovsky district of Donetsk," Bayevsky noted.