(USNewsMag.com) – On Aug. 29, a new $250 million military aid package for Ukraine was announced.
According to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the latest package of aid includes more clearing equipment, ammunition for artillery and High Mobility Artillery Rocket (HIMAR) systems, medical vehicles, missiles for air defense, and more than 3 million rounds of small-arms ammunition.
The latest round of military aid will come from presidential drawdown authority (PDA) from existing stockpiles, which means the aid should arrive in Ukraine faster than if it had to be manufactured by a defense company via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). The latest round of aid was paid for with money that Congress had previously approved.
The top weapons buyer for the Pentagon, William LaPlante, said the effects on U.S. military readiness are considered before each military aid package.
The previous round of military aid, which included artillery shells as well as munitions for Patriot air defense systems and HIMARS, was announced on Aug. 14.
Blinken added that “for as long as it takes,” the U.S. will continue to “stand united with Ukraine.”
According to U.S. officials, since Moscow withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17, Russia has targeted Ukrainian ports at least eight times. The attacks have escalated world hunger and food insecurity, according to officials.
In June, Ukrainian troops began a counteroffensive against Russia in the east and south. However, Russian minefields and trenches, which are blocking the southern push, have made their progress slow.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, over $43 billion in security assistance as well as over $113 billion in military and humanitarian aid have been approved for Ukraine. In early August, President Joe Biden asked Congress to approve $24 billion more in aid for Ukraine.
The Ukraine aid packages have been supported in Congress by both Republicans and Democrats.
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