The US will assist Ukraine with $2.6 billion in military aid, including anti-tank rockets, fuel trucks, and three surveillance radars, Pentagon declared on Tuesday as Ukraine is preparing itself for a spring offensive against Russian forces.
President Zelensky said while addressing the US National Governors Association on Tuesday that America can protect its dignity by helping Ukraine. Further, he expressed, “Time is the primary thing, we can’t lose it, and neither can we lose this chance. Ukrainian fighters are struggling on the battlefield to defend their homeland. Through our mutual collaboration, we can strengthen our countries.”
Russian News agency TASS reported that the Moscow’s Embassy in Washington reacted to the US aid announcement for Kyiv and blamed America for desiring to drag the war as long as possible. Washington’s supplies to Ukraine are a step towards intensifying the war and increasing the civilian casualties, according to the Embassy statement further.
⚡️US to provide Ukraine with additional $2.6 billion in military aid.
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine, which includes ammunition, air defense interceptors, anti-armor systems, mortar systems, and other equipment.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 4, 2023
Furthermore, the focus is on helping Kyiv change the dynamics on the battleground. The battle lines are almost static, and none of the sides is achieving big. The US is helping Ukraine and wants it to be counteroffensive and to hold its position tight, according to an American official.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister appreciated the US for everything it has done to help Kyiv strengthen its forces.
The Funding for the Ukraine Assistance
The artillery aid package from America includes $2.1 billion directly funded by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funding. This funding will enable the US government to purchase artillery from the weapon industry instead of impacting the National stockpiles. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister appreciated the US for everything it has done to help Kyiv strengthen its forces.
Presidential Drawdown Authority Funds (PDAF) gave the remaining $500 million, which allows the President to take from US stocks in the case of an emergency.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the US has guaranteed more than $35.2 billion of defense aid for Kyiv. On Monday, the US permanent representative of NATO, Ambassador Julianne Smith, said that the U.S. expects Ukraine to take some measures or make strategies to start their spring offensive in the following weeks.
Source: Web
What does the package include?
Tuesday’s announced package includes almost six different types of munitions, GRAD rockets, fuel tankers, and other military equipment. Here below is the list of the military equipment included in the Assistance package:
- Tank Munitions
- Patriot air defense system rounds
- High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
- 61 Heavy fuel tankers
- Recovery vehicles to help disabled heavy equipment like tanks
- Precision Aerial Munitions
- Additional rounds for NASAMS air defense, aided to Kyiv by America and other allies
- Anti-tank Rockets
- Armored Bridging Systems used in assaults
- Soviet-era GRAD rockets
- 105 Fuel Tankers
- Ten Mobile Laser-guided Rocket Systems to destroy the drones
Leopard 2 main battle tanks aided by Portugal and Germany reached Ukraine, which was pledged last month. Two new weapons systems are also part of the American aid to counter the drones, specifically the Shahid, an Iranian-made drone. Tehran sent these drones to Russia and has been widely used in the war against Ukraine. For the first time, the United States will send nine trucks of 30mm guns with undisclosed ammunition to Kyiv.
