The Pentagon is set to send Ukraine a new military aid package valued at no less than $275 million, as stated by U.S. officials on Tuesday. This move comes as the Biden administration strives to bolster Kyiv’s defenses against Russian aggression in the remaining months leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
The announcement of this fresh round of weaponry arrives amidst rising concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict. Both Ukraine and Russia are engaging in maneuvers aimed at gaining any strategic advantage possible, particularly in light of Trump’s explicit promises to pursue a swift resolution to the war.
In a swift series of actions, President Joe Biden recently granted Ukraine permission to utilize longer-range missiles against targets deeper within Russian territory. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially lowered the threshold for the deployment of nuclear weapons.
Officials from the U.S. maintain that Russia’s alteration in nuclear policy was anticipated, although they caution that Ukraine’s usage of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) within Russian borders could provoke a significant Russian reaction.
An American official provided insights that there are currently no established signs indicating that Russia is readying itself to deploy nuclear arms in Ukraine. This information was shared under the condition of anonymity, as the aid package details have yet to be publicly revealed.
When questioned about whether a Ukrainian strike using newly granted long-range U.S. missiles might prompt a nuclear response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed such a possibility. He referenced Russia’s military doctrine, which allows for nuclear retaliation following a conventional assault that poses serious threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and its ally Belarus.
Reports indicate that Ukraine launched approximately eight ATACMS missiles at Russian territory on Tuesday, with only two being intercepted. Assessments are ongoing regarding the extent of the damage, but it has been noted that the missiles impacted an ammunition depot in Karachev, located within the Bryansk region of Russia.
The latest aid package for Ukraine comprises a significant supply of air defense systems, which includes High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), along with 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and various other equipment and spare parts.
This support will be dispensed via presidential drawdown authority, enabling the Pentagon to expedite the transfer of military supplies directly from its inventory to the front lines in Ukraine, facilitating a quick and efficient response to the ongoing crisis.