Task Force Illini News Today

Illinois Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Ryan Crews, of Mt. Vernon, retired after 34 years of military service.

Since the US-engineered 2013-14 coup in Ukraine, American forces have taught Ukrainians, including neo-Nazi units, how to fight in urban and other civilian areas. Weaponizing Ukraine is part of Washington's quest for what the Pentagon calls "full...

Since the US-engineered 2013-14 coup in Ukraine, American forces have taught Ukrainians, including neo-Nazi units, how to fight in urban and other civilian areas. Weaponizing…

Illinois has close military ties of its own with Ukraine, with an Illinois Army National Guard task force providing training to troops in the country last year. A group of Illinois National Guard advisors returned from Poland earlier this month after working with a brigade including members of the Ukrainian military.

Russia’s demand that Ukraine never joins NATO has drawn the alliance more closely together, the co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer group said Wednesday. Having recently returned from Ukraine, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, (D-N.H.), said Russian President Vladimir Putin has “manufactured this crisis” by massing troops, armor and artillery, aircraft and support units, including medical […]

Russian President Vladmir Putin is “an international criminal, and we need to be saying this” as forcefully as the United States condemned the leader of Serbia as responsible for the bloody Balkan wars during the 1990s, a former top NATO commander said Thursday. Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark said the Kremlin “responds to power” in […]

If Russia acts recklessly or aggressively, there will be consequences – U.S. Charge dAffaires 2 min read U.S. Charge dAffaires in Ukraine Kristina Kvien said the United States, along with its allies, are deeply concerned about the buildup of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine and in the occupied territories, and Russia will face consequences in the event of aggressive actions against Ukraine, the U.S. Embassy said. "Let me conclude by reiterating that the United States remain...

USNI News EUCOM Commander: Russia Not Likely to Invade Ukraine Soon April 15, 2021 4:40 PM Sgt. 1st Class Richard Winterfeld, company-level training advisor, observes Armed Forces of Ukraine troops conducting movement down a road at Combat Training Center-Yavoriv, Ukraine, March 30, 2021. U.S. Army Photo While the current build-up of Russian forces near Ukraine rivals the 2014 annexation of Crimea – when Russia openly backed separatists trying to sever ties to Kyiv – the United States’ to...

4 LVIV, Ukraine – A few Soldiers with Task Force Illini, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard assigned to Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine have already deployed four or five times previously in their career. These Soldiers bring valuable experience to U.S. and Ukrainian troops alike. “From my first deployment to now, the most obvious change is the uniforms. I have worn four different camo pattern uniforms during my deployments,” said Se...