WASHINGTON — The Biden administration revealed on Friday that an additional $425 million in military support is being allocated to Ukraine, which is gearing up for confrontations with Russian forces that have recently increased in strength with the addition of over 10,000 North Korean soldiers.

During his recent trip to Kyiv, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin indicated that more assistance was imminent. This newly announced aid package will consist of equipment drawn from current U.S. reserves, which includes air defense interceptors designed for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, as well as 155 mm artillery, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons.

The ongoing conflict has seen Ukrainian eastern cities subjected to continuous Russian missile assaults, with a recent strike on Kharkiv involving a 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) glide bomb. This particular attack on Thursday targeted an apartment building, resulting in three fatalities and numerous injuries.

Furthermore, uncertainty looms as fresh contingents of North Korean troops stationed in Russia have now reached the vicinity of Ukraine’s border, preparing to engage Ukrainian forces in the upcoming days.

Russia has increasingly resorted to utilizing potent glide bombs, making significant impacts on Ukrainian strongholds along the extensive 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) frontline. Urban centers located numerous kilometers (miles) away from the actual frontline are being targeted as well, including Kharkiv, which is situated approximately 30 kilometers (under 20 miles) from the border.

The assistance detailed in this latest announcement raises the cumulative military aid provided by the U.S. to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion commenced in February 2022 to a staggering total of $60.4 billion.