US allocates new aid package to Ukraine aimed at protecting skies
The United States has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $325 million.
This is reported with reference to statements by US President Joe Biden and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and the Pentagon.
"This is all to save the future of freedom. America will never back down from this," Biden said.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also said that the new military aid package should give a new impetus to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive.
"Ukraine has regained more than half of the territory seized by Russia. The new assistance approved today will help support Ukraine's progress and give it further momentum," he said.-
According to Blinken, the military aid package includes additional air defense munitions to help strengthen Ukraine's air defenses against Russian air strikes now and in the winter.
"It also includes artillery munitions and anti-tank weapons, as well as cluster munitions that will further enhance Ukraine's ability to continue its counteroffensive against Russian forces," the US Secretary of State added.
The aid package reportedly includes a second batch of cluster munitions for 155-millimeter artillery, as well as short-range Avenger air defense systems that use Stinger missiles.
The package includes:
- AIM-9M air defense missiles;
- additional ammunition for HIMARS;
- Avenger air defense systems;
- 50 mm machine guns to counter drones;
- 155-mm artillery shells;
- 105 mm artillery shells;
- Javelin, TOW, and AT-4 anti-tank systems;
- over 3 million rounds of ammunition for small arms;
- 59 light tactical vehicles;
- explosive ammunition;
- spare parts, maintenance, and other field equipment.
However, the new aid will not include ATACMS tactical missile systems, which would help Ukrainian soldiers strike enemy targets at long range.
Washington announced a new aid package during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United States.
Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 22/09/2023
