Biden administration provides new $275 million military aid package to Ukraine
Mike Brest
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The Biden administration announced a new military aid package to Ukraine valued at $275 million, and it brings the U.S.’s total military aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion last February to $19.3 billion.
The package, which National Security Council spokesman John Kirby first announced during a Friday gaggle, is the 27th presidential drawdown issued that allows the U.S. to provide equipment from its own stockpiles to Ukraine.
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This package includes additional ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, 80,000 155 mm artillery rounds, counter unmanned aerial systems equipment, counter-air defense capabilities, and approximately 150 generators, due to Ukraine’s evolving and desperate need for help countering Russia’s assault against its energy infrastructure.
President Joe Biden and his administration have repeatedly assured their support for Ukraine is unwavering, and that sentiment is shared largely on Capitol Hill as well. The aid, and that of U.S. and Ukrainian allies, has provided the Ukrainians with the weapons to hold off Russian aggression.
The war has slowed given the poor conditions in the winter months, but Russian forces have pummeled Ukraine nationwide in a long-standing aerial assault that has, in recent weeks, targeted Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, plunging millions of civilians into blackouts and the cold amid the winter. The Russians have used hundreds of Iranian drones for these attacks, and the military partnership between them is “transforming their relationship into a full-fledged defense partnership,” Kirby explained.
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“Russia is seeking to collaborate with Iran on areas like weapons development and training as part of this collaboration,” he added. “We are concerned that Russia intends to provide Iran with advanced military components. Moscow may be providing Tehran with equipment such as helicopters and air defense systems. As of this spring, Iranian pilots have reportedly been training in Russia to learn how to fly the Su-35. This indicates Iran may begin receiving aircraft within the next year. These fighter planes would significantly strengthen Iran’s air force relative to its regional neighbors.”
A senior U.S. defense official told reporters last week that the Pentagon is “looking at all the possible capabilities that could help the Ukrainians withstand Russian attacks.”