The Biden administration said Monday that it would deliver $1 billion in fresh military supplies to Ukraine, the biggest supply of guns and equipment from the Pentagon’s inventory since Russia’s incursion more than five months ago.
According to the Pentagon, the shipment of weapons and equipment will include more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 1,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles, anti-armor systems, mortar systems, and tens of thousands of artillery rounds, as well as 50 armored medical treatment vehicles and medical supplies.
The newest transfer of armaments from the Defense Department raises the total amount of US security assistance to Ukraine since President Biden took office last year to $9.8 billion, including more than $9 billion since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. “All of these are vital assets to assist the Ukrainians in repelling the Russian advance in the east, as well as to handle emerging circumstances in the south and elsewhere,” Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, said during a Pentagon news conference.
In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken underlined that the US is “unified with Ukraine” and congratulated Ukrainian soldiers for continuing to fight back against Russia’s aggression.
“As the fight continues, the heroism and power of Ukraine’s military and people become ever more apparent and exceptional,” he added. “Together, we will continue to engage closely with Ukraine and rush additional available systems and capabilities that have been carefully calibrated to make a difference on the battlefield and bolster Ukraine’s final negotiation position.”
Russian soldiers started an assault on two important towns in Ukraine’s Donetsk region on Saturday, according to military and local sources, and have maintained rocket and mortar strikes on other locations.
According to the United Nations Human Rights Office, over 5,400 civilians have been murdered in Ukraine and another 7,400 have been wounded since the conflict began.