The US sends $400 worth of military aid to Ukraine
The US on Friday announced a new $400 million military aid package for Ukraine that includes, for the first time, armored vehicles that can launch bridges – allowing troops to cross rivers or other gaps while Russian and Ukrainian forces advance remain entrenched on opposite sides of the Dnieper.
The war had largely descended into a stalemate over the winter months, with Russia and Ukraine firing at each other from across the river. Both sides are expected to launch offensives in warm temperatures.
This shipment of aid will be pulled from existing US stockpiles so they can get to Ukraine faster. The US and its allies are trying to bring additional support to Kiev to best position it for intense fighting in the spring.
The Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge is a portable, 18 meter long, foldable metal bridge carried on an armored hull. Deploying this system could make it easier for Ukrainian troops to cross rivers to get to Russian forces.
As Ukraine continues to face ammunition shortages in the intense firefight, this aid package, like previous ones, includes thousands of replacement shells, such as rockets for the high-mobility artillery missile systems and 155mm howitzer shells. This package also includes explosive munitions and obstacle-clearing equipment to help Ukraine breach entrenched lines.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, the US has sent more than $32 billion in arms and equipment.
The US is also roughly tripling the number of Ukrainian forces it trains in advanced combat tactics at a base in Germany to help them breach entrenched Russian lines. At the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Ukrainian forces complete a five-week course preparing them to conduct advanced combined arms maneuvers using Bradley Fighting Vehicles, M109 Paladins and Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers. The first 600 Ukrainian soldiers completed the course last month and 1,600 more are in training.
The aid also includes spare parts and equipment for vehicle maintenance and repairs.
The announcement follows a brief meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday at a meeting of senior diplomats from the Group of 20 nations in New Delhi. It was the highest-level face-to-face meeting between the two countries since Russia invaded Ukraine. But there was no sign of easing intense tensions between the two nations.
Blinken said he told Lavrov the US would support Ukraine for as long as needed.
Lavrov, who did not mention the conversation with Blinken when holding a press conference after the meeting, told reporters Moscow will continue to press ahead with its actions in Ukraine.
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