The Biden administration will give Ukraine up to $1.2 billion in military aid "to bolster [Ukraine's] air defenses and sustain its artillery ammunition needs," the Pentagon stated Tuesday.
The latest package "underscores the United States' continued commitment to meeting Ukraine's most pressing needs by committing critical capabilities—such as air defense systems and munitions—while also building Ukraine's armed forces' capacity to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression in the long term," Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a news conference.
The equipment will be acquired new from military contractors under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), a law that allows the US to get capabilities from industry or partners. USAI is a fund established in 2015 in reaction to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
“The USAI gives us the ability to leverage the power and the capabilities of the private sector in order to support Ukraine’s medium and long term security assistance needs,” said Ryder.
According to an updated information sheet (pdf), the overall sum of the United States' extraordinary aid to Ukraine now surpasses $37.6 billion. Since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022, more than $36.9 billion has been transferred to Ukraine.
According to the Pentagon, a portion of the package promises extra 155 mm artillery rounds, which are one of the most sought artillery rounds in Ukraine's struggle against Russia. The US has sent over 1.5 million rounds to Ukraine, but as of late April, Kyiv was still looking for more.
Depending on the kind of bullet and firing mechanism utilized, the rounds enable Ukrainian forces to reach Russian targets up to 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 kilometers) away. Large cannons that can be towed are known as howitzers. The bullets can also be made to be very explosive, among other options.
Additional air defense systems and munitions are included in the current security aid package, as well as equipment to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine's air defense systems and ammunition for counter-unmanned aerial systems.
The fresh assistance comes as Ukraine prepares to begin a spring offensive against Russian soldiers, with air defense being a major concern.
In addition, according to recent U.S. intelligence disclosures that made headlines on April 6, ammo for Ukraine's S-300 air-defense system were scheduled to run out in early May.
Faced with economic sanctions and supply chain constraints as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has repeatedly relied on Iran's Shahed drones to augment its firepower. The United States has provided technology to shoot down and otherwise combat drones in assistance shipments.
According to authorities, Ukraine's air defenses shot down 35 Iranian-made drones above Kyiv in Russia's latest nocturnal attack. Wreckage from a drone damaged a two-story apartment building in Kyiv's western Svyatoshynsky neighborhood, putting it on fire, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko in a Telegram message.
According to the Ukrainian defense ministry, Russian bombardment of 127 locations in northern, southern, and eastern Ukraine killed three people.
As part of the current deal, the US will supply Ukraine with commercial satellite imaging services as well as "support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities" in addition to the 1.5 million rounds and air defense systems.
