WASHINGTON — The Biden administration will send about $125 million in new military aid to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Thursday, even as Washington works to get a better understanding of Kyiv’s incursion into Russia and how it advances the broader battlefield goals more than two years into the war.
U.S. officials said the latest package of aid includes air defense missiles, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Javelins and an array of other anti-armor missiles, counter-drone and counter-electronic warfare systems and equipment, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, vehicles and other equipment.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid has not been publicly announced. The formal announcement could come as soon as Friday, which is the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day.
The weapons are being provided through presidential drawdown authority, which means they are taken from Pentagon stockpiles and can be delivered more quickly.
The aid comes as Ukrainian forces continue to broaden their surprise offensive into Russia, where officials say they have taken about 100 square kilometers (62 square miles) of territory around Kursk. Russian troops, meanwhile, are making gains in the east, around the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub.
Pentagon officials have said repeatedly that the U.S. has been talking with Ukrainian leaders to get a better assessment of their longer-term goals for the Kursk operation, particularly as they see Russia advancing near Pokrovsk.
If Pokrovsk falls, the defeat would imperil Ukraine’s defenses and bring Russia closer to its stated aim of capturing the Donetsk region. Russian soldiers are now just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away.
Asked about the Kursk operation, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Thursday that “we are still working with Ukraine on how that fits into their strategic objectives on the battlefield itself.”
The U.S., she said, understands that Ukraine wants to build a buffer zone along the border, but the administration still has more questions about how it furthers Ukraine’s broader war effort.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first visit Thursday to the border area where his forces launched the offensive on Aug. 6. He said Kyiv’s military had taken control of another Russian village and captured more prisoners of war.
The latest package of aid brings the total amount of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to more than $55.7 billion since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Officials have confirmed that the United States will be providing $125 million in new military aid to Ukraine, a move that underscores the ongoing support for the Eastern European country in its efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression.
The aid package, which was announced by the US State Department, includes a variety of military equipment and training for Ukrainian forces. This includes sniper rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, counter-artillery radars, electronic warfare detection systems, secure communications equipment, and medical supplies.
The decision to provide this new aid comes at a critical time for Ukraine, as the country continues to face ongoing conflict in its eastern regions with Russian-backed separatists. The conflict, which began in 2014, has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people.
The US has been a key supporter of Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Since 2014, the US has provided over $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including lethal aid such as anti-tank missiles and Javelin missiles.
The new aid package is seen as a further commitment by the US to stand by Ukraine in the face of continued aggression from Russia. It also sends a strong message to Moscow that the US will not tolerate any further attempts to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
In a statement announcing the aid package, Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the US’s support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself. He stated, “The United States remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression.”
The aid package has been welcomed by Ukrainian officials, who have long called for increased military assistance from the US and other Western allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the support, stating that it would help Ukraine “stand up to Russia’s aggression.”
Overall, the new military aid package from the US is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It demonstrates the US’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its efforts to defend itself and sends a clear message to Moscow that further aggression will not be tolerated.
