Ukraine war: US pledges US$1 billion more in rockets, other arms to Kyiv in fight against Russian invasion
- Aid includes additional rockets for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), thousands of artillery rounds, mortar systems, and Javelins
- The latest announcement brings the total US security assistance committed to Ukraine by the Biden administration to more than US$9 billion
The Biden administration said on Monday it was shipping its biggest yet direct delivery of weapons to Ukraine as that country prepares for a potentially decisive counteroffensive in the south against Russia, sending US$1 billion in rockets, ammunition and other material to Ukraine from Defence Department stockpiles.
The new US arms shipment would further strengthen Ukraine as it mounts the counteroffensive, which analysts say for the first time could allow Kyiv to shape the course of the rest of the war, now at the half-year mark.
Kyiv aims to push Russian troops back out of Kherson and other southern territory near the Dnipro River. Russia in recent days was moving troops and equipment in the direction of the southern port cities to stave off the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
“At every stage of this conflict, we have been focused on getting the Ukrainians what they need, depending on the evolving conditions on the battlefield,” Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defence for policy, said on Monday in announcing the new weapons shipment.
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The new US aid includes additional rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as thousands of artillery rounds, mortar systems, Javelins and other ammunition and equipment. Military commanders and other US officials say the HIMARS and artillery systems have been crucial in Ukraine’s fight to block Russia from taking more ground.