The Pentagon announced on Monday a new $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine that includes missiles for the US Himars precision artillery systems.
It also plans to send additional short- and medium-range missiles for NASAMS anti-aircraft defense systems, as well as Javelin anti-tank missiles, the US Department of Defense said in a statement.
Ukraine will also receive 75,000 155mm howitzers for its Western artillery systems and about 50 armored medical vehicles.
These are “crucial capabilities to help the Ukrainians defend against the Russian offensive in the east and to adapt to current developments in the south and elsewhere,” Pentagon number three Colin Kahl told reporters, referring to to the counteroffensive launched by kyiv in the Kherson region, to the south.
Kahl, whose title is deputy secretary of defense for political affairs, declined to say how many precision missiles for Himars were included in this new aid package.
He indicated, however, that the Ukrainian military received “hundreds” of these in recent weeks and that the two Nasams air defense systems, included in the previous military aid package and announced in early July, would only reach Ukraine “in the next few months”.
The missiles for these systems, which are in the new package announced Monday, are expected to “arrive at the same time” as the launch ones, he added, as Ukraine has been requesting better air protection for months.
In another statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken applauded these measures.
“We will continue to consult closely with Ukraine and increase additional available systems and capabilities, carefully calibrated to make a difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s ultimate position at the negotiating table,” Blinken said.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, plunging the country into an unprecedented war, displacing millions of Ukrainians and massively destroying infrastructure.
On the other hand, the World Bank announced on Monday an additional aid of 4,500 million dollars for Ukraine, thanks to the funds contributed by the US, to help the government to face the “urgent needs generated by the war”.
This aid should allow the government and local authorities to cover social, retirement or health expenses, details the World Bank in a statement.
This brings to almost 13,000 million dollars the emergency financial aid provided to Ukraine by this institution based in Washington.
