In a bid to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, the United States is set to unveil an additional $275 million in military aid for the nation. This announcement comes as Ukrainian forces face renewed pressure from Russian troops in the Kharkiv region.
The aid package, marking the fourth installment since the passage of a long-awaited foreign aid bill by Congress, underscores the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts. The aim is to ensure a steady flow of weapons to the front lines to counter Russian advances swiftly.
Key components of the aid include high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) along with 155 mm and 105 mm high-demand artillery rounds. These details were revealed by two US officials speaking on the condition of anonymity ahead of the public announcement.
The decision to increase military assistance follows a recent gathering of defense leaders from Europe and other regions, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged Ukraine’s current challenges, particularly in light of Russia’s intensified assault on Kharkiv.
Acknowledging the urgency, Austin pledged to maintain a consistent supply of weapons on a weekly basis. Russia’s strategy appears to exploit Ukrainian vulnerabilities in manpower and weapons as the nation awaits delayed assistance from the US, which faced months of congressional delays.
Recent weeks have seen Ukrainian forces pushed back in certain areas, coupled with Russian attacks targeting civilian areas and the country’s power grid. Since President Biden signed the $95 billion foreign aid package, which allocated approximately $61 billion for Ukraine, the US has initiated the delivery of nearly $1.7 billion worth of weapons from Pentagon stockpiles.
In addition, the US has earmarked $6 billion in funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, aimed at securing longer-term contracts with the defense industry. However, the delivery of these weapons may take several months or even years to materialize.
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With this latest aid package, the cumulative military assistance provided by the US to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 reaches close to $51 billion. This substantial support underscores America’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
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