U.S. Sends More Military Aid To Ukraine, Says Iran-Russia Ties Should Concern Everyone

The Biden Administration on Friday announced an additional $275 million in military support to Ukraine, which will include more ammunition for HIMARS among other critical ammunition to bolster Kyiv in its fight against Russia, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Also included, according to the Pentagon:

- 500 precision-guided 155 mm artillery rounds

- 2,000 155 mm rounds of remote anti-armor mine systems

- 1,300+ anti-armor systems

- 125 Humvees

- 2.75 million+ rounds of small arms ammunition

- Four satellite communications antennas

While there are no new weapons in the U.S. package, the additional aid is meant to restock critical weapons systems already in Ukrainian hands.

“This drawdown will bring the total U.S. military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented level of more than $18.5 billion since the beginning of the Administration,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

It is the 24th drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021, according to the statement.

Air defense capabilities are a major focus of the assistance package, Blinken said, and two initial medium-range missile systems are ready for delivery to Ukraine next month.“The capabilities we are delivering are carefully calibrated to make the most difference on the battlefield for Ukraine today,” he noted.

This assistance comes as Russia has scaled up its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, which many have considered a sign of Russia’s faltering position on the battlefield.

Washington is also looking at "everything it can" do to disrupt Iranian weaponry from going to Russia, State Department said.

Asked by TURAN's correspondent whether Iran has still been transferring drones to Russia despite international pressure, spokesperson Ned Price said during a press briefing that dozens of drones have already been delivered. "We know that Iranians have been present in Crimea working hand in hand with the Russians as Russians have used this technology with brutal effect against the people of Ukraine."

The U.S. will continue to keep a focus on this relationship between Iran and Russia, Price said, adding that "it’s a relationship that is of concern to us. It’s a relationship that should be of concern to countries around the world."

"The world will increasingly see what these two countries – the objectives they harbor and the damage they’re able to inflict, not only on Ukraine, but potentially against shared interests and shared values in the region and well beyond," Price added.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.