As the war between Russia and Ukraine lingers, the United States and some of its European allies, have announced significant new arms donations to Ukraine, including armoured vehicles and heavy weaponry, ahead of a crucial meeting on bolstering the country’s defences nearly a year after Russia invaded.
The US estimated the value of the military assistance package at about $2.5 billion, which includes armored personnel carriers, air defense systems, and thousands of rocket and artillery rounds.
According to a statement released by the US Defense Department on Thursday, there will be 90 Stryker armored personnel carriers and 59 Bradley fighting vehicles.
It is a “major new security support package to enable Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia’s horrific assault,” according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. With the most recent package, US military aid to Ukraine now totals about $27.4 billion, he noted.
Earlier, the UK announced it would send 600 Brimstone missiles to Kyiv in a joint statement with the defense ministers of nine other European nations. Meanwhile, Denmark pledged 19 Caesar howitzers made in France, and Sweden offered its Archer artillery system, a modern mobile howitzer Ukraine has been requesting for months.
“We acknowledge that arming Ukraine to drive Russia off its soil is just as crucial as arming them to defend what they currently have,” according to the statement.
“Together, we will support Ukraine as it transitions from resisting to driving out Russian forces from its territory. Only a combination of main battle tank squadrons operating under air and missile defense, alongside divisional artillery units, and more deep precision fires permitting targeting of Russian supply and command centers in seized territory can accomplish the new level of required fighting force.”