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US announces $500m in new arms aid to Ukraine

28.06.2023 18:00
The United States has announced a new USD 500 million arms package for Ukraine's defence against Russia.
A US Bradley fighting vehicle
A US Bradley fighting vehiclePhoto: EPA/AHMED MARDNLI

According to a statement by the UDepartment of Defense, the new security assistance package includes "key capabilities to support Ukraine's counteroffensive operations, strengthen its air defenses to help Ukraine protect its people, as well as additional armored vehicles, anti-armor systems, critical munitions, and other equipment to help Ukraine push back on Russia's war of aggression."

Specifically, Washington will provide Kyiv with additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems; Stinger anti-aircraft systems; additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); demolitions munitions and systems for obstacle clearing; mine clearing equipment; 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds; 30 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles; 25 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers; and Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles, the statement said.

The package also contains Javelin anti-armor systems; AT-4 anti-armor systems; anti-armor rockets; High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs); precision aerial munitions; small arms and over 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades, in addition to thermal imagery systems and night vision devices; testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair; spare parts, generators, and other field equipment, according to the Pentagon.

The United States has committed more than USD 40 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February last year, according to officials.

"The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements," the Pentagon said in its statement.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

Wednesday is day 490 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: PAP, defense.govukrinform.net