The United States is pledging an additional $325 million security assistance package to Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday.
The package “includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and artillery rounds, as well as anti-armor systems, small arms, logistics support vehicles, and maintenance support essential to strengthening Ukraine’s defenders on the battlefield,” Blinken said in a statement.
The aid will help Ukraine defend itself against Russia, he said.
“Russia could end its war today. Until Russia does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the statement said.
More US, French and German hardware arrives
Ukraine continues to receive Western equipment for both offensive and defensive units.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov Wednesday inspected the latest batch of armored vehicles (AMX-10 RC) to arrive from France.
“Building a multi-level air and missile defense system as soon as possible is our priority,” he said. “This is to protect peaceful cities, critical infrastructure, and our people in the rear and at the front. Patriot systems create a capability that did not exist before — to defeat ballistic targets.”
Recently leaked US military documents indicate the Ukrainians were rapidly depleting or had exhausted some categories of anti-air munitions.
Reznikov also welcomed another IRIS-T from Germany – a highly effective system for combatting cruise missiles. Reznikov’s deputy — Oleksandr Pavliuk — later confirmed that “Patriot air defense systems from the United States, the Netherlands and Germany arrived to Ukraine.”
