President Joe Biden has announced a new package of military assistance that includes significant air defense capabilities to help Ukraine protect its people from Russia’s continued aerial attacks.<\/p>\n
The $325 million arms package was announced just after Russia launched another wave of airstrikes against five cities in Ukraine that hit critical civilian infrastructure and knocked out power in many parts of the country.<\/p>\n
The package includes additional ammunition for HIMARS systems that Pentagon has already provided, anti-tank weapons, artillery, ammunition, and more DPICMs to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs on the battlefield. <\/p>\n
The additional air defense munitions will help strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses against aerial assaults from Russia now and in the coming winter, when Russia is likely to renew its attacks against Ukrainian critical infrastructure, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. <\/p>\n
These capabilities will help Ukraine harden its defenses ahead of what is likely to be a tough winter filled with renewed Russian attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure to try to deprive innocent people of necessities like heat and electricity, he said in a statement. <\/p>\n
President Biden announced the latest round of U.S. security assistance during his meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. <\/p>\n
Biden reiterated that the United States will continue to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression for as long as it takes and hold Russia accountable for human rights abuses and war crimes.<\/p>\n
The United States is also coordinating sustained deliveries of short range air defense systems like the Avenger, longer range air defense systems such as the HAWK, and hybrid systems that pair Western air defense interceptors with existing Ukrainian systems, the White House said in a statement. <\/p>\n
Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart that Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine next week, according to the White House. <\/p>\n