Pentagon announces $400 million in Ukraine arms transfers

The Pentagon on Friday introduced a $400 million tranche of weapons for Ukraine, its second bundle since Congress handed a international support invoice final month with further Protection Division funding to help Kyiv.

The brand new bundle consists of further munitions for Patriot air protection programs and Nationwide Superior Floor Air-to-Air Missile Programs, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Excessive Mobility Artillery Rocket Programs in addition to 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds.

“In the present day, america is asserting a $400 million bundle of weapons and gear to help the courageous folks of Ukraine,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on X, previously Twitter. “America will proceed to face with Ukraine within the combat towards Russia’s aggression.”

The bundle additionally consists of precision aerial munitions, Bradley armored automobiles and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected automobiles.

The Pentagon introduced a $1 billion arms bundle for Kyiv final month shortly after Congress handed a $95 billion international support invoice for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan following months of delays. That bundle additionally included air protection interceptors, armored automobiles, anti-tank weapons and artillery rounds.

Congress’ delay in passing the international support invoice, which included $48 billion in Ukraine-related funding for the Protection Division, resulted in extreme ammunition and artillery shortages for Kyiv as sought to carry the road towards Russia’s invasion.

Russian forces launched a floor assault on Kharkiv on Friday, prompting Ukraine to name up reserve items to fend off the assault. Ukrainian forces additionally needed to retreat from Avdiivka earlier this yr after a Russian offensive.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked President Joe Biden and Congress for the brand new army support bundle on X.

“This well timed and very important U.S. help will assist save civilian lives and strengthen Ukrainian warriors on the frontlines,” Zelenskyy wrote. “It should additionally enable us to higher defend our cities and communities from Russia’s ongoing air terror assaults on Ukrainian vital infrastructure and vitality amenities.”