Ukrainian peacekeepers given green light to operate independently in Iraq

Today the Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent in Iraq began carrying out its tasks on an independent basis.

As a Rosbalt correspondent was informed by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian peacekeepers are responsible for guarding an airport, a state bank and other facilities in the southern city of El-Kut. They are also responsible for patrolling the Iran-Iraq border in this region and protecting state property from looters. The fifth Ukrainian artillery brigade consists of 1,656 men. Until now the Ukrainian soldiers had been working side by side with a division of the US marines.