The Biden administration is set to allocate approximately $125 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, as disclosed by U.S. officials on Thursday. The aid package will include a variety of defense resources such as air defense missiles, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Javelins, anti-armor missiles, counter-drone and counter-electronic warfare systems, artillery ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment. This assistance, facilitated through presidential drawdown authority, allows for a rapid delivery of resources by sourcing them from Pentagon stockpiles.
Ukrainian forces are currently expanding their unexpected offensive into Russia, having reportedly gained approximately 100 square kilometers (62 square miles) of territory around Kursk. Concurrently, Russian troops are advancing near the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a vital logistics center where they are making progress. The Pentagon has been engaging in discussions with Ukrainian officials to better grasp the strategic objectives behind the Kursk operation and the implications of Russia’s advancements near Pokrovsk.
In the event that Pokrovsk is overtaken, Ukraine’s defensive capabilities would be jeopardized, potentially bringing Russia closer to their objective of seizing the Donetsk region, with Russian forces now positioned just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh highlighted that discussions are ongoing with Ukraine to understand how the operation aligns with their battlefield goals and broader war efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently visited the border area where the offensive was launched on August 6, announcing the capture of a Russian village and prisoners of war.
This latest military aid package raises the total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to over $55.7 billion since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. An official public announcement of the aid is expected, possibly on Friday, coinciding with Ukraine’s Independence Day celebration.
