The shadows of war stretch into a third year over Ukraine’s battle-weary landscape, the United States, led by Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, reaffirms a commitment that resonates with unwavering resilience: the continuous funneling of American weaponry into Ukraine’s defense. This assurance comes as Kyiv grapples with a renewed Russian military offensive.
In a recent gathering that united Austin with nearly 50 defense leaders from across Europe and the world, the collective resolve was palpable, emerging in the form of a coordinated effort to reinforce Ukraine’s military capabilities. “We’re meeting in a moment of challenge,” Austin said, noting that Russia’s new onslaught of Kharkiv showed why the continued commitment by the countries was vital to keep coming. Austin vowed to keep U.S. weapons moving “week after week.”
The U.S. announced no new aid packages, even as Ukrainian forces continue to complain that weapons are just trickling into the country after being stalled for months due to congressional gridlock over funding. Pentagon officials have said that weapons pre-positioned in Europe began moving into Ukraine soon after the aid funding was approved. The specific volume of arms that have reached Ukrainian frontline units, where Russian forces have amplified their assault, remains undisclosed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow’s current offensives, such as that in Kharkiv, aim to carve out a buffer zone rather than capture the city outright. Ukrainian forces, in turn, are fiercely engaged in thwarting Russian advances in this area, while simultaneously escalating their counteroffensive in the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula—striking at military sites along the Black Sea and in Sevastopol.
Under the shadow of intense combat, Ukraine’s manpower at the front has thinned, propelling President Volodymyr Zelensky to enact controversial laws designed to swell the ranks, including permitting prisoners to enlist and substantially increasing penalties for draft evasion.
In the three weeks since President Joe Biden signed the $95 billion foreign aid package, the U.S. has sent $1.4 billion in weapons pulled from Pentagon stockpiles and announced it was providing $6 billion in funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. USAI pays for longer-term contracts with the defense industry and means that the weapons could take many months or years to arrive.
This expansive military support comprises advanced systems like High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and associated rockets, munitions for Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, artillery, and a range of armored vehicles, including Bradley and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. The arsenal extends to coastal and riverine patrol boats, trailers, demolition munitions, and other defense equipment. An emergency sale of HIMARS to Ukraine has also been greenlit, funded by Germany.
To date, the U.S. has deployed an imposing $50.6 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since the onset of the conflict in February 2022.
Relevant articles:
– Pentagon Vows to Keep Weapons Moving to Ukraine as Kyiv Faces a Renewed Assault by Russia, Military, 05/21/2024
– Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia, CNA, 05/20/2024
– Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces renewed assault, The Irish News, 05/20/2024
– Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault, ABC News, 05/20/2024
– Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia, newslooks.com, 05/20/2024
Glad you enjoyed above story, be sure to follow TrendyDigests on Microsoft Start.