US to provide Ukraine with $275 mn in military aid amid Russian advances

As the war between Russia and Ukraine goes unabated with Kremlin troops being relentless in their pursuit of invading Ukraine, the United States is poised to declare another military aid worth USD 275 million to the war-ravaged country, reported The Washington Post citing two US officials on Friday.

This marks the fourth installment of military assistance for Ukraine since the passing of a long-awaited foreign aid bill by Congress last month.

The aid package, set to be unveiled imminently, includes a range of weaponry and munitions crucial for Ukraine’s defence efforts. Among the items are high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), 155 mm and 105 mm high-demand artillery rounds, Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems, anti-tank mines, tactical vehicles, small arms, and ammunition.

Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Ukraine during a recent gathering of defence leaders from Europe and other nations. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a steady flow of weapons to Ukraine’s front lines to address the immediate challenges posed by Russia’s aggression, as reported by The Washington Post.

The ongoing conflict has underscored the critical need for Ukraine to bolster its military capabilities amidst Russian incursions and attacks on civilian infrastructure. Despite delays in Congress, the Biden administration has prioritized expediting military assistance to Ukraine, with nearly USD 1.7 billion in weapons already announced and dispatched from Pentagon stockpiles since the passage of the USD 95 billion foreign aid package.

Additionally, the US has allocated USD 6 billion through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, facilitating longer-term contracts with the defence industry. However, the delivery of these weapons may take several months or even years to materialize fully.

With the latest allocation, the total amount of military assistance provided by the US to Ukraine since the onset of the conflict in February 2022 reaches almost USD 51 billion. This substantial support underscores America’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defence capabilities and countering Russian aggression in the region, The Washington Post reported.

First Published: May 24 2024 | 10:30 AM IST