US agrees to accept wounded Ukrainian soldiers at American military hospital in Germany

In latest show of support for Ukraine amid its war with Russia, US has agreed to treat wounded Ukrainian soldiers at an American military hospital in Germany, stated CNN citing a memo by Department of Defence or Pentagon. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly gave verbal approval to treating injured Ukrainian troops for first time since Russian President Vladimir Putin anunced “special” military operation in Ukraine in February. 

Up to 18 wounded Ukrainian soldiers are allowed to be treated at a time at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a hospital in Germany which has been used to treat US service members for several years. Austin reportedly offered verbal guidance to treat wounded Ukrainian soldiers on May 26 and it was converted into a formalised memo on June 29. memo entitled “Guidance for Medical Treatment of Wounded Ukrainian Service Members”. 

Landstuhl has t yet received Ukrainian troops for care

However, Landstuhl has t yet received Ukrainian service members for medical care yet. An official from US European Command told CNN, "We have t treated any Ukraine troops at Landstuhl”. As per report, official said that purpose of memo was to remove any red tape that would hinder process of treating Ukrainian soldiers if and when need arose. It is to mention Landstuhl is approximately 700 miles from Ukrainian border. 

Meanwhile, on Monday, an adviser to Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Anton Gerashchenko posted a video on Twitter showing Ukrainian soldiers receiving prostic legs at a hospital in Chicago. On Tuesday, a second video was posted showing soldiers walking on prostic limbs. It appeared to be first authorisation for Ukrainian soldiers to receive treatment in military facilities instead of civilian hospitals. 

Meanwhile, as Russia-Ukraine war entered sixth month, Pentagon anunced ar pack of security assistance for Ukraine which will include additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), ammunition and a substantial number of Phoenix Ghost unmanned aerial systems. In an official statement, Pentagon’s senior official said that US’ latest “pack includes about $175 million in equipment pulled from existing U.S. military stocks through presidential drawdown authority and $95 million in equipment from Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, or USAI fund.”

Im: AP