California National Guard's International Impact: Helping Ukraine Beat Russia on the Battlefield

National Guard troops from California have been instrumental in helping Ukraine fight against Russian forces on the battlefield for the past 17 months. Through the State Partnership Program, California National Guard troops have been training Ukrainian troops in various areas such as infantry tactics, weapons and equipment operation, and battlefield mobility. This partnership has contributed to Ukraine's success in reclaiming cities like Kharkiv and Kherson from Russian troops. The program, which began in 1993, aims to provide defense training to new countries that emerged after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Other National Guard troops from different states and European nations have also expressed interest in supporting Ukraine.