According to a statement by the US Department of Defense, the new security assistance package includes "equipment to augment Ukraine's air defenses, fires, and artillery, and to sustain capabilities previously committed by the United States."
Specifically, Washington will provide Kyiv with "additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems; additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS); equipment to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine's air defense systems; counter-UAS equipment and systems; munitions for laser-guided rocket systems; multi-mission radars; and counter-artillery radars," the statement said on Friday.
The package also contains "additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 155mm and 152mm artillery rounds; precision aerial munitions; Switchblade and Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS); tactical vehicles to tow weapons and equipment; demolition munitions; components to support Ukrainian production of UAS and other capabilities; small arms and additional small arms ammunition; and ancillary items and support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities," according to the Pentagon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he addressed the US-led Ukraine Support Contact Group on Friday "urging prompt action to provide Ukraine with more long-range capabilities, air defense, and artillery ammunition."
He wrote in a post on X: "If the necessary steps are taken, we will disrupt Putin's plans and regain the initiative."
Zelensky added: "Even the best soldiers cannot change the course of the war without adequate weapons. I am proud of Ukrainian soldiers. You know how strong they are. They know how to win. They must win. But they need your sufficient and timely support for this."
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, the United States has committed more than USD 50.2 billion in security assistance to help the country defend itself, the US Department of Defense said.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
Friday is day 793 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, defense.gov, ukrinform.net