U.S. Announces $1.2B In Military Aid For Ukraine Ahead Of Counteroffensive

Washington D.C./10.05.23/Turan:    The Biden administration on Tuesday unveiled a new $1.2 billion aid package to Ukraine, which includes more artillery, ammunition, air defense missiles and drones, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports from the Pentagon.

The move comes just ahead of a forthcoming Ukrainian counteroffensive as Russia continues to pound the country with rockets, surface-to-air missiles and drones while Kyiv's air defenses successfully shot down 35 Iranian-made drones over the capital city during the past 48 hours, according to officials.

While the newest weapons tranche will focus mainly on bolstering Ukrainian air defenses, the new package will also provide equipment that Ukraine’s Armed Forces need “to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the long term,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

The money will procure more 155 mm artillery rounds and provide sustainment support to enable Ukraine to better maintain its on-hand systems and equipment, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters. "The United States will continue to work with our allies and our partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements," he said.

With this latest package, the Biden Administration has now given Kyiv nearly $37 billion in lethal aid since Putin's attacks last February.

Alex Raufoglu