U.S. Announces 33rd Aid Package Worth $400 million For Ukraine

Washington D.C./04.03.23/Turan:    The Biden Administration on Friday announced a $400 million security aid package for Ukraine, providing more ammunition, equipment and munitions to Kyiv in its fight against Russia, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the latest package includes munitions for the HIMARS and Howitzer artillery guns, as well as ammunition for the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles the U.S. first announced for Ukraine in January. In addition, it also contains demolitions, munitions, equipment and other material, as well as services for maintenance, training and support of Ukrainian troops.

According to the Pentagon, the package specially includes armored vehicle-launched bridges. These vehicles are designed to accompany armored columns and give them the ability to cross rivers, streams, ditches and trenches. The bridges are carried on the chassis of armored vehicles and launched at river or stream banks. Once the crossing is finished, the vehicle can pick up the bridge on the far bank and carry on.

This is the 33rd time the Biden administration has invoked the drawdown authority for Ukraine. The U.S. has provided more than $30 billion worth of gear to Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine. Congress approved about $113 billion in total emergency assistance last year and the last round of aid from December has not yet been exhausted.

“Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does so, for as long as it takes, we will stand united with Ukraine and strengthen its military on the battlefield so that Ukraine will be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table,” Blinken wrote in a statement.

Alex Raufoglu